We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Emily Mottershead

Do you want to know what to do in a emergency life threatening situation? This course will empower you with the skills to know how to treat various life threatening illness and injuries. 

Read more

Do you want to know what to do in a emergency life threatening situation? This course will empower you with the skills to know how to treat various life threatening illness and injuries. 

The course consists of videos that encourage you to practice the skills you are learning. There are numerous handouts you can download and keep for future reference as well as short tests to check your learning after various sections. We will keep you entertained and engaged throughout and will always be on hand to help answer any questions you have - just email [email protected] or use the Q&A section. The course is fully compatible with all computers and mobile devices. You will be able to stop and start as often as you like and on completion you will be able to print your Certificate.

It is impossible to cover all eventualities within this course, or to equip you with the knowledge and skills to appropriately diagnose and treat in unpredictable real life situations. If you suspect illness or injury, you should always seek immediate professional medical advice.

The Author has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information contained within the course, however this course is merely a guide and the Author does not accept any liability or responsibility for any inaccuracies or for any mistreatment or misdiagnosis of any person, however caused.

EMT First Aid and Lifeguard Training provides this course for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for medical advice. EMT First Aid and Lifeguard Training is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made, or actions taken based on this course.  We strongly recommend that you attend a practical First Aid course to understand what to do in a medical emergency.

Please be aware that the information is correct at the time of filming June 2021 and relates only to UK Resuscitation and First Aid guidelines. If you are outside the UK please refer to your countries guidelines and governing board.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • To learn how to treat an unconscious casualty who is breathing by using the recovery position
  • To learn how to treat an unconscious casualty who is not breathing by performing cpr
  • To understand how to use an aed (defibrillator)
  • To learn how to treat a suspected heart attack
  • To learn how to treat a casualty choking
  • To learn how to treat a bleeding casualty with minor and major wounds
  • To learn how to treat a burn
  • To learn how to treat seizures
  • To learn how to treat asthma
  • To learn how to treat anaphylaxis

Syllabus

Students will learn how to save a casualty's life

This course is designed to give you the theoretical knowledge as to what to do if you find someone unconscious, ill or injured. This course is also an excellent First Aid Training package for people to gain invaluable knowledge at their own time and pace.

The course consists of handouts and videos and a short test yourself section fully compatible with all computers and mobile devices. You will be able to stop and start as often as you like and on completion you will be able to print your Certificate.

It is impossible to cover all eventualities within this course, or to equip you with the knowledge and skills to appropriately diagnose and treat in unpredictable real life situations. If you suspect illness or injury, you should always seek immediate professional medical advice.

Course contents:
Planning for an Emergency

Unresponsive and Breathing

Recovery Position

How to put someone into the Recovery position

How to put a baby into the recovery position

Unconscious and not breathing. -CPR and the use of AED

Heart Attack

Choking

How to help a Choking Adult, Child,and  Baby

How to treat bleeding

Asthma

Seizures

Allergic Reactions

Read more

Always be prepared - make sure you have medical information on you or at the very least emergency contact details.

Have a look at the you tube video below on how to set up your medical ID as well as the PDF to help you

In this video you will learn how to stay safe in an emergency by considering the safety of the scene.

We will talk about checking the area for dangers and understanding why we need to talk to the casualty.

When you are watching this video we will be encouraging you to practice on yourself or on another (or maybe a teddy or pillow).

Download the resources attached to help you and remember to start and stop the video as often as you like.

Practice the recovery position on both sides - and if you have a casualty, ask them to be floppy and act like a sack of potatoes (if you let go of their hand they should just flop it back to the floor again)!

Practice makes perfect!

CPR

Welcome to the CPR section of the course. During this section we will guide you through how to perform CPR on a casualty. There are handouts that you can print off and use as a quick reference guide.

Adult CPR - learn how to perform CPR on a adult. Remember you perform CPR after you have established they are not breathing normally.

Download the adult CPR help sheet that you can use as reference for a step by step guide.

Child CPR - learn how to perform CPR on a child. Remember you perform CPR after you have established they are not breathing normally.

Download the child CPR help sheet that you can use as reference for a step by step guide.

Baby CPR - learn how to perform CPR on a baby. Remember you perform CPR after you have established they are not breathing normally.

Download the baby CPR help sheet that you can use as reference for a step by step guide.

Information about an AED and using it in conjunction with CPR

Video answering typical questions students ask when attending a course, including how to handover to 999, and problems during CPR.

Vomit

When help arrives

Compression only CPR

Problems during rescue breathes

Watch the video then download the resources and learn more!

Practical task

How to treat a choking baby

Task - make sure you have found a bandage or something else that you can use as a bandage (such as tights, and/or scarfs)

Watch the video then download the resources attached as they will give you detailed information on how to use each auto injector pen.

TASK:

In order to feel what a asthma suffer feels like when they are having an attack, place a straw in your mouth and breathe in through your nose for 5 seconds and out through the straw for 2 seconds, repeat. How do you feel? You will probably feel some of the symptoms of a asthma sufferer.  PLEASE STOP, DONT MAKE YOURSELF FEEL ILL.

INFORMATION:

The muscles of the air passages contract and go into spasm as a result making it difficult to breathe out.

Signs and Symptoms

  • Difficulty in breathing

  • Wheezing

  • Difficulty in speaking

  • Coughing

  • Distress/anxiety

  • Blue tinge to lips

Treatment

  • Allow them to take their inhaler (the reliever - normally with blue caps)

  • Keep the chest open - shoulders back and down

  • Blow out for longer than in

  • Help the casualty use their inhaler and encourage the use of their spacer.

Things you should never do when someone is having an asthma attack:

  • Never leave them alone

  • Never take them to colder air

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides practical knowledge of CPR, AED use, and managing various medical emergencies, which are essential skills for anyone wanting to respond effectively in critical situations
Includes downloadable handouts and reference guides, which can be valuable resources for refreshing knowledge and skills in emergency situations
Emphasizes the importance of seeking professional medical advice, which underscores the limitations of the course and promotes responsible decision-making in real-life scenarios
Includes videos demonstrating techniques, which can help learners visualize and practice the skills being taught, enhancing their confidence and competence
States that the information is correct as of June 2021 and relates to UK guidelines, so learners outside the UK should refer to their own country's guidelines
Recommends attending a practical first aid course, which suggests that this course is best used as a supplement to hands-on training rather than a replacement

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Foundational online first aid training

According to learners, this course provides a clear and foundational overview of emergency life support and first aid principles. Many students highlight the easy-to-understand videos and useful downloadable handouts as key strengths, finding they provide a solid theoretical base and serve as a valuable refresher. The course helps build confidence in handling emergencies. However, a significant point raised by students is that the course is primarily theoretical and should not replace hands-on practical training, which is crucial for developing actual first aid skills. Some also noted that the certificate offered may not meet formal accreditation requirements for professional roles. A few international learners also pointed out that the content specifically follows UK resuscitation and first aid guidelines, which might differ in other regions.
Provides clear theoretical basis for emergencies.
"Excellent course! Very clear videos, easy to understand the recovery position and CPR."
"It gave me a solid foundation in the concepts and steps for CPR and AED use. Videos were clear..."
"I found the explanations simple and the overall content very easy to grasp, making it a great starting point."
Based on UK guidelines; check local standards.
"Also, it's strictly UK guidelines, which wasn't clear initially."
"While the information is good, I needed to check if these procedures were the same in my country as they are UK-based."
"International learners should verify if these UK guidelines align with first aid protocols in their own country."
Certificate not formal accreditation for jobs.
"The certificate isn't a formal first aid certification, which I needed for my job."
"Don't expect this certificate to qualify you for workplace first aid requirements without checking first."
"It's good for personal knowledge, but this certificate likely won't be accepted for professional certification."
Excellent theory, but practical training is needed.
"Disappointed this is only theoretical. You really need hands-on practice for first aid."
"While the videos are helpful, I feel I still need a practical course to truly learn the skills."
"This course provides the 'what to do' but you absolutely need practical training for the 'how to do it' effectively."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Emergency Life Support | First Aid Training with these activities:
Review Basic Anatomy and Physiology
Reinforce your understanding of basic human anatomy and physiology to better understand how the body responds to emergencies and how first aid interventions can help.
Browse courses on Anatomy
Show steps
  • Review diagrams of major organ systems.
  • Summarize the function of each major organ system.
  • Explain how the respiratory and circulatory systems work together.
Review 'First Aid, CPR, and AED Standard' by the American Red Cross
Familiarize yourself with standard first aid procedures and protocols to enhance your understanding of the course material.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters related to CPR, AED use, and bleeding control.
  • Practice the skills described in the book with a partner.
  • Review the emergency action steps for various medical conditions.
CPR Practice with a Manikin
Reinforce your CPR skills through repetitive practice on a manikin to build muscle memory and improve technique.
Browse courses on CPR
Show steps
  • Set up a CPR manikin in a safe and accessible location.
  • Practice chest compressions and rescue breaths for 2 minutes.
  • Repeat the practice session several times, focusing on proper hand placement and compression depth.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a First Aid Kit Checklist
Solidify your knowledge of essential first aid supplies by creating a comprehensive checklist for a well-stocked first aid kit.
Show steps
  • Research the essential items for a basic first aid kit.
  • Create a checklist with quantities and expiration dates.
  • Organize the checklist into categories (e.g., wound care, medications).
Review 'Where There Is No Doctor' by David Werner
Expand your understanding of first aid in resource-limited settings and learn alternative techniques for managing emergencies.
Show steps
  • Read the sections on wound care, infection prevention, and common illnesses.
  • Identify alternative materials that can be used for first aid in the absence of standard supplies.
  • Discuss the ethical considerations of providing first aid in resource-limited settings.
Volunteer at a Local First Aid Organization
Gain practical experience in providing first aid by volunteering at a local organization that offers first aid services.
Browse courses on First Aid
Show steps
  • Research local organizations that provide first aid services (e.g., Red Cross, community centers).
  • Apply to volunteer and complete any required training.
  • Participate in first aid events and assist with providing care to individuals in need.
Develop a First Aid Scenario Simulation
Deepen your understanding of first aid principles by creating a realistic scenario simulation that tests your ability to respond effectively to an emergency.
Browse courses on First Aid
Show steps
  • Choose a specific first aid scenario (e.g., car accident, sports injury).
  • Develop a detailed script and props for the simulation.
  • Recruit participants to play the roles of victims and bystanders.
  • Run the simulation and evaluate the effectiveness of the first aid interventions.

Career center

Learners who complete Emergency Life Support | First Aid Training will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Emergency Medical Technician
An Emergency Medical Technician, or EMT, provides immediate medical care to individuals in emergency situations. This role requires a strong understanding of life-saving techniques, such as CPR, using an AED, and managing bleeding, all of which this course covers extensively. The course's focus on practical skills, with videos and opportunities to practice techniques like the recovery position and administering aid for choking, helps build a foundation for the fast decisions needed in the field as an EMT. The course's emphasis on recognizing and responding to conditions such as heart attack, seizures, asthma, and anaphylaxis, further prepares a student for the breadth of situations they might face. Someone interested in this career should take this course to help prepare for emergency situations.
Lifeguard
A Lifeguard is responsible for ensuring the safety of people in and around water, and this includes responding to medical emergencies. This course supports a lifeguard role by focusing on first aid skills, such as CPR, treating choking, and managing bleeding. The course’s training on how to respond to an unconscious casualty, including the recovery position, is also extremely relevant to a lifeguard's duties. Moreover, the modules on handling specific medical conditions like heart attacks, seizures, asthma, and anaphylactic shock are pertinent when these issues come up unexpectedly at the pool or beach. The practical nature of the course, with videos and downloadable resources, makes it useful for lifeguards who need to know how to respond effectively in emergency situations. A person interested in becoming a lifeguard would benefit from taking this course.
Paramedic
A Paramedic is often the first medical professional to arrive at an emergency scene, providing advanced medical care. This course provides critical foundational knowledge for a paramedic role, such as the ability to perform CPR, use an AED, and treat bleeding wounds. The detailed instruction on handling unconscious patients, including how to perform the recovery position, also supports this career. Additionally, the training on how to manage conditions like heart attacks, seizures, asthma, and anaphylaxis helps someone build the kind of knowledge a paramedic needs in fast-paced situations. The course's practical, hands-on approach with video demonstrations and quizzes ensures that students understand critical medical procedures. Anyone pursuing a career as a paramedic may find it helpful to begin with this course.
Flight Attendant
A Flight Attendant is responsible for the safety and well-being of passengers during air travel, including providing first aid in emergencies. This course may be useful to someone who is a flight attendant because it provides practical training on life-saving techniques, such as CPR, using an AED, and treating bleeding and choking. The course’s instruction on handling an unconscious person, including the recovery position, is pertinent to a flight attendant’s duties. Moreover, the training on how to treat conditions such as heart attacks, seizures, asthma, and anaphylaxis prepares a flight attendant to respond to a range of medical issues that may arise during a flight. A flight attendant might find this course helpful for handling emergencies.
Camp Counselor
A Camp Counselor is responsible for the safety and well-being of children in a camp setting. This course may be useful for someone who wishes to be a camp counselor because it teaches essential first aid skills needed in emergency situations. The course teaches CPR, use of an AED, treatment for bleeding and choking, and the recovery position for unconscious individuals. Additionally, training on how to treat conditions like heart attack, seizure, asthma, and anaphylaxis can help keep young people safe. The course’s practical approach, using videos and downloadable guides, supports the kind of skills that a camp counselor can use. A person who works at a camp may find this course helpful.
Medical Assistant
A Medical Assistant provides support within a healthcare setting, often being among the first healthcare staff to interact with patients. This course will be useful to anyone who wishes to become a medical assistant, giving students an understanding of how to manage emergency situations, such as recognizing the signs of a heart attack, seizure, or anaphylactic shock. The ability to perform CPR and use an AED, which are taught in this course, are important skills for managing patients in distress. The course also offers hands-on practice opportunities, helping someone confidently apply important first aid skills. Also, the ability to treat a bleeding patient, detailed in this course, can be essential when dealing with patient care. A medical assistant can apply all the skills learned in this course.
School Nurse
A School Nurse provides immediate health care to students and staff, often responding to emergencies as they arise. This course may be useful to anyone wishing to become a school nurse because it provides practical training on life-saving interventions. It teaches how to manage situations such as unconsciousness, choking, bleeding, and seizures, all of which are possible on a school campus. The course also provides instruction on how to treat heart attacks, asthma, and anaphylaxis, which can be especially important to keep students safe. The hands-on nature of the course, with videos and downloadable resources, can give someone the confidence to act quickly and effectively. This course may help a school nurse provide timely care in emergency situations.
Wilderness First Responder
A Wilderness First Responder provides emergency care in remote areas where access to medical facilities is limited. This course provides critical knowledge on life saving techniques that are a valuable foundation for being a wilderness first responder. The course teaches how to perform CPR, use an AED, manage bleeding, and treat choking, which are essential skills to provide care when medical help is not immediately available. The instruction on handling unconscious patients, including using the recovery position, also provides specific, practical help. The training on how to manage specific medical conditions like heart attacks, seizures, asthma, and anaphylaxis prepares someone to address a range of potential health issues in the wilderness. A person interested in becoming a wilderness first responder may find this course helpful.
Registered Nurse
A Registered Nurse provides direct patient care, and often is the primary contact for patients, especially in emergency situations. This course may be useful for someone pursuing a role as a registered nurse because of its detailed modules on how to treat breathing problems using the recovery position, perform CPR, and use an AED. The skills taught in this course, including how to respond to bleeding, choking, heart attacks, and seizures are all invaluable. The content on asthma and anaphylaxis also helps anyone who will be working with patients with chronic or sudden onset conditions. While a registered nurse will likely receive further training on these topics, this course provides a helpful introduction to critical life-saving interventions. Someone interested in this career would benefit from the practical approach this course offers.
Caregiver
A Caregiver is responsible for the daily care of individuals who are elderly, disabled, or have chronic conditions. This course may be useful for a caregiver because it teaches how to respond to a variety of emergencies. The course covers how to perform CPR, use an AED, treat bleeding, and manage choking, all of which are essential skills when providing care. The course also covers unconsciousness, including the steps for how to place someone in the recovery position. In addition, the training on conditions such as heart attacks, seizures, asthma, and anaphylaxis, prepares a caregiver for numerous possible health challenges. Someone who works as a caregiver might find it helpful to have this kind of training.
Security Officer
A Security Officer often acts as a first responder in emergency situations which can include medical crises. This course may be useful for a security officer due to its focus on life-saving first aid techniques. The course’s modules on CPR, AED use, and managing bleeding are invaluable to know how to respond effectively in the critical first moments of an incident. In addition, responding to choking victims and placing unconscious people in the recovery position are skills that a Security Officer might need. The course also teaches how to recognize the symptoms of conditions such as heart attacks, seizures, asthma and anaphylactic shock. A security officer that takes this course will be better prepared to respond to emergencies.
Emergency Dispatcher
An Emergency Dispatcher is the first point of contact for individuals seeking help in emergency situations. This course may be useful for an emergency dispatcher because it covers many of the scenarios that might come up in calls for help. The training on recognizing and responding to conditions such as heart attacks, seizures, asthma, and anaphylaxis, provides a helpful background for assessing the seriousness of each situation. Additionally, the course's detailed instruction on how to perform CPR, use an AED, and treat bleeding will help a dispatcher instruct callers on how to provide immediate first aid while waiting for help to arrive. Someone who wishes to become a dispatcher may find it useful to have a practical understanding of how to manage emergencies.
Athletic Trainer
An Athletic Trainer provides immediate care for athletes, including injury assessment and emergency response during athletic events. This course may be useful for a practicing athletic trainer because it offers an introduction to life-saving skills which are valuable in this career. It provides practical training on how to handle situations such as unconsciousness, choking, and bleeding. Additionally, its content on conditions such as heart attacks, seizures, asthma, and anaphylaxis can be helpful when an athlete experiences a medical emergency. The course’s emphasis on hands-on training, with its videos and downloadable resources, helps ensure someone feels confident and prepared to act in a crisis. This first aid training may be useful for anyone who wishes to work as an athletic trainer.
Physical Therapist
A Physical Therapist helps patients recover from injuries and illnesses, often working with individuals who have mobility limitations or chronic pain. This course may be useful because it covers essential first aid techniques that are important in all kinds of situations. It teaches CPR, use of an AED, and management of bleeding. The course’s approach to unconscious patients, including the recovery position, is also pertinent. Additionally, the content on conditions such as heart attack, seizures, asthma, and anaphylaxis, can be helpful. This course can be a helpful supplement to the skills a Physical Therapist uses in their daily work. A person interested in physical therapy may find this course to be helpful.
Teacher
A Teacher is responsible for the safety of students in a classroom or during school activities. This course may be useful for teachers because it provides training in life-saving skills that are needed in cases of medical emergencies. It teaches how to do CPR, use an AED, treat bleeding, and manage choking, all of which are relevant to a classroom setting. The course also gives instruction for handling unconscious patients, including how to put a person in the recovery position. Also, the training on how to recognize and respond to heart attacks, seizures, asthma, and anaphylaxis is important to provide care to students. A teacher will be better prepared to respond to health crises after taking this course.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Emergency Life Support | First Aid Training.
Comprehensive guide to first aid, CPR, and AED techniques. It provides detailed instructions and illustrations for a wide range of emergency situations. It valuable reference tool for anyone taking a first aid course, and it is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions. This book adds more depth and breadth to the existing course.
Provides basic medical information and first aid techniques for people in developing countries or remote areas. It covers a wide range of medical conditions and injuries, with simple and easy-to-understand instructions. It useful reference tool for anyone interested in providing basic medical care in resource-limited settings. This book adds more breadth to the existing course.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser