To prepare for your first aid practical session, you need to finish the online theory, have your Unique Student Identifier (USI) and photo ID ready, and wear clothes you can kneel in. Because the theory is completed online in your own time, the session itself is devoted to hands-on practice on manikins, scenarios and a short assessment with your trainer.
What do you need to do before the practical?
- You must finish the online theory before your practical session, so allow yourself enough time to work through it. If you are unable to finish in time, contact us before the day.
- Have your USI ready. It is required for any nationally recognised training in Australia, and you may already have one from earlier nationally recognised training. If you do not, creating one at usi.gov.au takes only a few minutes.
- Adult CPR is assessed on a manikin on the floor, and that requirement cannot be changed. If anything makes kneeling or floor CPR difficult for you, such as a knee, back or shoulder problem, tell us as early as you can, ideally before you book, so that we can talk through which adjustments are possible.
What should you bring to a first aid practical?
- Photo ID, such as a driver licence, passport or proof-of-age card, because we check your identity before assessment.
- Water and something to eat, since practical sessions run for about two to three hours with short breaks.
There is no need to bring a manikin, a first aid kit or printed notes, as we provide all the equipment, including automated external defibrillator (AED) trainers, bandages, autoinjector trainers and asthma spacers.
What should you wear to a first aid course?
Wear clothes you can kneel and move in. During the session you will kneel on the floor, lean over a manikin and move around the room, so comfortable clothes and flat shoes will make it easier. Long trousers are more comfortable than shorts or a skirt for kneeling, and it is worth tying long hair back.
Coming straight from work in a uniform is fine, although you should bring something to change into if the uniform is restrictive.
How does the practical session run?
A typical session runs in four stages.
- Arrive about 10 minutes early for check-in, where we check your ID and USI and run through what the session covers. If you are more than 30 minutes late, the trainer may not be able to let you join, because you would miss the safety instructions and parts of the assessment. In that case, we would book you into another session, and re-booking costs $25.
- Your trainer walks you through the DRSABCD action plan (Danger, Response, Send for help, Airway, Breathing, CPR and Defibrillation), after which you practise compressions, breaths, the recovery position and using an AED trainer.
- You then work through realistic scenarios in pairs or small groups. In HLTAID011 Provide First Aid, these include an unresponsive casualty, a severe allergic reaction, an asthma attack, bleeding and fractures.
- For the assessment, you perform at least 2 minutes of uninterrupted CPR on an adult manikin on the floor and on an infant manikin, along with the scenario tasks for your unit. Before you start, your trainer explains what they need to see.
Your trainer coaches each skill before assessing it. If you do not meet a requirement on the day, they will explain what to work on and arrange another attempt with you, and your first two further attempts are free. Our guide to what to expect on the day of your practical assessment lists everything the assessor checks.
What happens after the session?
We usually issue your Statement of Attainment by email within 1 business day of you completing the theory and the practical, once your USI is verified and your fees are paid. If your employer needs a copy sent to them directly, we can arrange that with your written consent.
Although a Statement of Attainment does not expire, WorkSafe Victoria's compliance code recommends refreshing CPR every 12 months and first aid every three years, and many employers require it. Our post on when to refresh CPR and first aid explains this in more detail.
If you are still choosing a course, you may like to compare HLTAID011 Provide First Aid with the HLTAID009 Provide CPR course, or call us on 1300 508 809 if you would like help deciding.
Sources
- Unique Student Identifier (USI) – Student Identifiers Registrar
- HLTAID011 Provide First Aid: unit details and assessment requirements – training.gov.au
- HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation: unit details and assessment requirements – training.gov.au
- Compliance code: First aid in the workplace – WorkSafe Victoria
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