If you have been searching for Emergency First Aid at Work training London, chances are you have come across a lot of confusing information. Some websites list courses for £40, others charge over £150, and it is not always clear what you actually get for your money. This guide breaks down exactly what is included in a well-run £89 EFAW course in London, why the price sits where it does, and how to make sure the certificate you walk away with is one that your employer, your insurer, and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will actually accept.
By the end of this article, you will understand the full structure of the course, the topics covered hour by hour, who needs to attend, and how to book a session that fits your schedule. If you are ready to book now, you can find upcoming dates through Emergency First Aid at Work training London.
What Does “EFAW” Actually Mean?
EFAW stands for Emergency First Aid at Work. It is a one-day course designed to teach people the skills needed to act as an emergency first aider in a workplace. Unlike the three-day First Aid at Work (FAW) course, EFAW focuses on the essentials: keeping someone alive, calling for help correctly, and managing common injuries until professional medical help arrives.
The course is built around the guidance set out by the Health and Safety Executive, which requires every workplace to carry out a first aid needs assessment. That assessment decides whether a business needs a fully qualified First Aider (FAW) or whether an Emergency First Aider (EFAW) is sufficient. For many small offices, shops, and low-risk workplaces, EFAW is the appropriate and proportionate level of training.
Why Is the Course £89 in London?
London training prices vary a lot depending on venue location, group size, trainer experience, and whether the certificate is properly regulated. £89 sits at a sensible mid-point: low enough to be accessible for small businesses and sole traders, but high enough to reflect a genuine, regulated, one-day, in-person course with a qualified trainer and a real certificate at the end.
Here is roughly where that £89 goes:
- Trainer fees for a qualified, insured first aid instructor
- Venue hire in a Central or Greater London location
- Training equipment: manikins, bandages, defibrillator trainers, wound simulation kits
- Course materials and workbooks
- Certification and administration costs
- Ongoing compliance with Ofqual-regulated or HSE-approved standards
Courses priced significantly below this often cut corners somewhere — usually on trainer qualifications, group size, or certificate validity. Courses priced well above £89 are frequently charging for private in-house sessions, evening premiums, or brand-name add-ons that do not change the legal validity of the certificate.
Who Needs to Attend an EFAW Course?
You should consider this course if any of the following apply to you or your business:
- You are a designated first aider in a small office, retail unit, or workshop
- Your workplace risk assessment identified a need for basic first aid cover rather than a full FAW-level responder
- You manage a team and want at least one trained person on every shift
- You work in hospitality, education support, childcare, or a similarly low-hazard environment
- You are renewing a certificate that is close to its three-year expiry date
- You are self-employed and want personal peace of mind
- You are a landlord, HMO manager, or run a small venue and want basic emergency cover
Employers have a legal duty under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 to ensure adequate and appropriate first aid provision is available. EFAW is one of the most common ways smaller organisations meet that duty affordably.
What Is Actually Included in the £89 EFAW Course?
This is the part most people searching for Emergency First Aid at Work training London actually want to know. Below is a realistic breakdown of what a properly run one-day EFAW course covers.
1. Full-Day Practical Training (Typically 6–7 Hours)
The course usually runs from around 9:00 am to 4:30 or 5:00 pm, including breaks. It is delivered face-to-face, in person, because first aid is a physical skill that cannot be fully learned through video alone.
2. Role and Responsibilities of a First Aider
You will learn what you are legally and practically expected to do — and, just as importantly, what you are not expected to do. This includes understanding the limits of emergency first aid, when to call 999, and how to hand over to paramedics clearly and calmly.
3. Assessing an Emergency Situation Safely
Before touching a casualty, every first aider needs to check the scene is safe. You will practise a structured approach to assessing danger, protecting yourself, and approaching a casualty without becoming a second victim.
4. Primary Survey (DRABC / DRSABC)
This is one of the most important frameworks taught on the course. It stands for Danger, Response, (Send for help), Airway, Breathing, Circulation. You will practise this sequence repeatedly until it becomes second nature.
5. CPR Training on a Manikin
Every participant gets hands-on time performing chest compressions and rescue breaths on a training manikin. The trainer will correct hand placement, compression depth, and rhythm individually, not just as a group demonstration.
6. Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Use
You will learn how to safely operate a defibrillator, including how to apply the pads, when to stand clear, and how the machine guides you through the process with voice prompts. Most courses include hands-on practice with a training AED unit.
7. Recovery Position
You will practise placing a casualty in the recovery position, which keeps the airway open if someone is unconscious but breathing. This is taught with real partner practice, not just a slideshow.
8. Choking Management (Adults)
The course covers back blows and abdominal thrusts for a choking adult, along with how to recognise mild versus severe airway obstruction.
9. Managing Shock
You will learn to recognise the signs of shock — pale, clammy skin, rapid breathing, confusion — and how to treat a casualty while waiting for help.
10. Wound Care and Bleeding Control
This section covers how to dress minor wounds, apply direct pressure to control bleeding, and manage more serious bleeding safely, including an introduction to when a tourniquet-style approach may be appropriate.
11. Burns and Scalds
You will learn immediate cooling techniques, how long to cool a burn, and what not to do (such as applying creams or ice directly).
12. Minor Injuries
Sprains, strains, small cuts, and bruises are covered, along with basic guidance on when a minor injury actually needs professional medical attention.
13. Seizures
The course explains how to keep someone safe during a seizure, what not to do (such as restraining them), and when a seizure becomes a medical emergency requiring an ambulance.
14. Anaphylaxis Awareness
Given how common severe allergies have become in workplaces, most EFAW courses now include a section on recognising anaphylaxis and supporting someone using an auto-injector such as an EpiPen, where appropriate and within scope.
15. Recording an Incident
You will learn how to correctly complete an accident book entry, which is a legal requirement for many workplace incidents and important for insurance and HSE reporting purposes.
16. Group Scenarios and Practical Assessment
Throughout the day, trainers run realistic scenarios so participants can practise the full sequence — from spotting an emergency to handing over to paramedics — under light pressure and in a supportive group setting.
17. Certification
At the end of the day, successful participants receive a certificate valid for three years. This should be issued by a recognised awarding body so it is accepted by employers, auditors, and insurers.
What Is Usually NOT Included
To keep expectations realistic, here is what a standard £89 EFAW course typically does not include:
- Paediatric first aid content (this needs a separate Paediatric First Aid course)
- Advanced trauma or hazardous environment training
- Mental health first aid (a separate, dedicated course)
- Private one-to-one sessions (group courses are the norm at this price)
- Travel or parking costs if the venue is outside easy reach
- Refresher training after the three-year certificate expiry (this is usually a separate, shorter booking)
A Typical Course Timetable
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9:00 – 9:30 | Arrival, registration, introductions |
| 9:30 – 10:30 | Role of the first aider, scene safety, DRABC |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | Break |
| 10:45 – 12:00 | CPR practice, choking, recovery position |
| 12:00 – 12:45 | Lunch |
| 12:45 – 13:30 | AED training |
| 13:30 – 14:30 | Wounds, bleeding, shock, burns |
| 14:30 – 14:45 | Break |
| 14:45 – 15:30 | Seizures, anaphylaxis, minor injuries |
| 15:30 – 16:15 | Group scenarios and practical run-throughs |
| 16:15 – 16:30 | Assessment, feedback, certificates issued |
Exact timings vary slightly between providers, but this structure reflects the typical shape of a well-designed one-day course.
How to Choose the Right Provider
When comparing options for Emergency First Aid at Work training London, look for these signs of a genuine, quality course:
- Regulated certification — the certificate should come from a recognised awarding body, not just an in-house logo.
- Small group sizes — hands-on skills like CPR need individual attention, so avoid courses that cram in far more people than manikins available.
- Qualified, currently practising trainers — ask whether the trainer holds a valid instructor qualification and works in the field regularly.
- Clear venue and transport details — a Central London venue near good transport links saves you time and travel costs.
- Transparent pricing — the £89 you see should be the price you pay, with no hidden add-ons for the certificate or materials.
- Flexible dates — look for a provider offering regular weekday sessions so you are not stuck waiting weeks for a slot.
You can view current availability directly through this Emergency First Aid at Work training London page.
How Long Does the Certificate Last?
An EFAW certificate is valid for three years from the date of the course. After that, you will need to retake the full course, since EFAW does not currently have a shorter official “refresher-only” pathway recognised by the HSE in the same way FAW does. Many workplaces choose to refresh annually through informal in-house practice sessions to keep skills sharp between full requalifications, though this is not a legal substitute for the three-year certificate.
Is EFAW the Right Course, or Do You Need FAW Instead?
This is a common point of confusion, so here is a simple way to think about it:
- Choose EFAW if your workplace risk assessment shows low-risk activities, a small number of employees, and no specific hazards requiring advanced trauma skills.
- Choose FAW (First Aid at Work) if your workplace involves higher-risk activities such as machinery, construction, chemicals, or if your risk assessment specifically calls for a fully qualified first aider.
If you are unsure, a first aid needs assessment — sometimes offered as part of a training consultation — can clarify which level your business legally requires.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is included in the £89 EFAW course in London?
The £89 course includes a full one-day, in-person training session covering CPR, choking, recovery position, AED use, wound care, shock, burns, seizures, anaphylaxis awareness, and how to record an incident. It also includes course materials, hands-on practice with training equipment, and a certificate valid for three years upon successful completion.
2. How long does the EFAW course take?
The course typically runs for one full day, around six to seven hours including breaks, usually from 9:00 am to 4:30 or 5:00 pm. It cannot be shortened significantly because the practical skills, especially CPR and AED use, require supervised hands-on practice for every participant.
3. Is the EFAW certificate recognised by employers and the HSE?
Yes, as long as it is issued by a recognised, regulated awarding body. Employers, auditors, and insurers generally accept EFAW certificates that meet HSE guidance and come from a properly accredited training provider. It is worth checking the certifying body’s name before booking to confirm it is a recognised qualification.
4. How long is an EFAW certificate valid for?
An EFAW certificate is valid for three years from the date you complete the course. After three years, you will need to retake the full one-day course to renew your certification, since there is currently no shortened refresher-only pathway officially recognised for EFAW in the same way there is for some other first aid qualifications.
5. Do I need to pass a test to get certified?
Yes. Throughout the day, the trainer continuously assesses your practical performance during scenarios and skills practice, such as CPR technique and choking response. There is usually also a short written or verbal knowledge check at the end. Most attendees who engage fully with the practical sessions pass without difficulty.
6. What is the difference between EFAW and First Aid at Work (FAW)?
EFAW is a one-day course covering essential emergency skills, suitable for lower-risk workplaces. FAW is a three-day course covering a much wider range of injuries and illnesses in greater depth, designed for higher-risk environments such as construction sites or workplaces with specific hazards identified in a risk assessment. Your workplace’s first aid needs assessment should determine which one is required.
7. Can I take the EFAW course online?
The practical skills portion — CPR, AED use, recovery position, and bandaging — must be delivered and assessed in person, because these are physical skills that require hands-on correction from a trainer. Some providers offer a blended format where theory is completed online beforehand, but the hands-on day itself is still required for a valid, HSE-recognised certificate.
8. What should I bring to the course?
Most providers ask you to bring photo ID, comfortable clothing suitable for kneeling and moving around on the floor, and a pen for note-taking. Some sessions include lunch or refreshments, but it is worth checking your specific booking confirmation, as this can vary between venues.
9. Is the £89 price per person, and are there group discounts?
Yes, £89 is typically the standard per-person price for an open, scheduled group course. Many providers offer discounted rates for businesses booking multiple staff members onto the same session, or for organisations arranging a private in-house course for a whole team. It is worth asking directly about group rates if you need to train several employees.
10. How many people are needed for a first aid course to run, and can I book as an individual?
Individuals can absolutely book onto a public, scheduled EFAW course — you do not need to bring a group. These open courses run with a mix of attendees from different companies and are confirmed once a minimum number of bookings is reached, which is why booking early for your preferred date is recommended.
Final Thoughts
An EFAW course is one of the most practical, affordable ways for a small business or individual to meet workplace first aid obligations while gaining a genuinely useful, potentially life-saving skill set. At £89, a properly delivered course in London gives you a full day of hands-on training, coverage of every major emergency scenario a workplace first aider is likely to encounter, and a certificate valid for three years.
If you are ready to book your place, you can check upcoming London dates and reserve your spot through Emergency First Aid at Work training London.
