First aid
A video summary of The use of Automated External Defibrillators and Basic Life Support.
First Aid is the immediate response taken to manage an injury or illness; action which should prevent more serious consequences and help promote recovery. At work many minor injuries and illnesses benefit from first aid treatment, allowing individuals to resume their normal activities without taking time off to seek medical care.
First aiders are trained to assess and prioritise more serious injuries and seek medical assistance via the emergency services or local NHS Walk in services. On all campuses, the initial action when first aid is needed is to contact the nearest first aider in the department. If not available, or further help is required follow the recommended emergency procedure. The College Policy and Guidance documents outline responsibilities and arrangements to manage First Aid.
First Aid at Work (FAW Q) training has been revised to incorporate e-learning , this blended learning format has been approved by the First Aid Industry Body. This new approach requires participants to first complete mandatory pre course e-learning covering the theory aspects (equivalent to 1 day of face to face training) before participating in the practical training for the remaining 2 days to attain a First Aid at Work Qualification. This will give greater flexibility for participants and departments.
First Aiders must be given protected time by line managers to complete the mandatory pre course e-learning prior to completing the practical elements of the course and assessment.
First aid
Departmental arrangements
At Imperial College each department is responsible for making arrangements to respond to injuries or illness amongst staff, students and visitors to the department. A First Aid Coordinator is nominated to manage first aid arrangements in the department, undertaking a local needs assessment, arranging training, managing supplies of equipment and keeping first aid notices up to date. A letter of appointment can be drafted for the First Aid Coordinator using this template.
Training
There are three types of first aider at Imperial College: those who have attended the Emergency First Aid at Work one day course which trains them to manage an emergency, some common minor injuries along with CPR and using a defibrillator. This course is suitable for people who work in low – medium risk areas such as offices and low hazard labs and workshops.
The 3-day course is more detailed and is suitable for people working where there is high risk activity and restricted access. This is a combination of online learning and face to face practical and assessment. The online element is mandatory prior to attendance at the face-to-face sessions. Participants are required to requalify at 3 yearly intervals. If a first aider’s qualification has expired even by a single day, they can no longer be included in the departmental arrangements. Requalification training
The Learning and Development Centre cannot accept bookings for First Aid courses made by individuals. Please contact your local First Aid Coordinator if there is a need in your department.
Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAiders®) are trained to provide first line support for people who may be experiencing poor mental health. This peer-to-peer support was established at Imperial in 2013. Licenced by MHFA England the course helps MHFAiders® to understand mental wellbeing and to support individuals who may show signs that they are experiencing a mental health problem. MHFAiders work within a framework to listen, assess support people who are having trouble or distress and give them information on where they can get help.
The Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre cannot accept bookings for Mental Health First Aid training courses made by individuals. Please contact your local First Aid Coordinator if there is a need in your department.
Mental health first aid
Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAiders®) are trained to provide first line support for people who may be experiencing poor mental health. This peer-to-peer support was established at Imperial in 2013. Licenced by MHFA England the course helps MHFAiders® to understand mental wellbeing and to support individuals who may show signs that they are experiencing a mental health problem. MHFAiders work within a framework to listen, assess support people who are experiencing difficulty or distress and give them information on where they can get help.
Mental Health First Aid has now been incorporated into the Imperial College First Aid Policy as a demonstration of further progress towards parity of esteem for mental health. MHFAiders details are listed on departmental First Aid notices, and they wear lime green lanyards. They provide support in person or remotely on MS Teams.
MHFA training is organised by the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre and Departmental First Aid Coordinators book participants on accredited Mental Health First Aid training courses. There is a range of other mental health awareness training available via EDIC https://www.imperial.ac.uk/admin-services/equality/support-for-staff/training/raising-awareness/mental-health-awareness/
Should you need to contact a Mental Health First Aider, please follow the guidance on the following website
Automatic external defibrillator
Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) have been installed across Imperial College Campuses. Defibrillation is the only effective treatment for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Acting quickly when someone is in cardiac arrest is crucially important. Around 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK every year, 95 per cent of people who have SCA die within minutes. The use of an AED on a person who has suffered a sudden cardiac arrest can increase their chance of survival by up-to 40 per cent. AED’s are increasingly located in public spaces such as train and underground stations, airports, shopping centres and sports facilities. Many communities across the country have an AED located in an accessible place.
AED's are sophisticated, reliable, safe computerised devices that deliver electric shocks to victims of cardiac arrest when the heart rhythm is one that is likely to respond to a shock. The Resuscitation Council indicates that an AED can be used safely and effectively without previous training and should not be restricted to healthcare professionals or trained rescuers. However, training is encouraged to help improve the “time to shock delivery” and correct pad placement. Please take time to read the latest Resuscitation Council UK Statement on COVID-19.
Since May 2014, AED training has been included in all First Aid training and refresher courses at Imperial.
Imperial College’s London campuses are part of the London Ambulance Accreditation Scheme. The AED are either stored in alarmed cabinets in a prominent location or a bracket within a Campus Security Office at the following locations.
A review of the College AED program has been completed; a Code of Practice has been produced for departments where an AED is required for specific risk mitigation purposes. Should departments require an AED for mitigation of a clinical or physical risk, contact Occupational Health for advice, central registration of equipment and ongoing support, details can be found in the Department AED Code of Practice.
First aid co-ordinator resources
First Aid box label templates
First aid box label templates can be applied to your first aid boxes, this label informs someone using an item from the box who they should tell.
There are three different sizes to choose from:
| Item | Supplier | Product Code |
|---|---|---|
| 21 labels per page | Office depot | 701294 |
| 14 labels per page | Office depot | 180502 |
| 8 labels per page | Office depot | 185815 |
First Aid notice poster
This Template (which meets the HSE standard for First Aid notices) can be used to inform all staff, students and visitors of local arrangements (personnel and equipment), this information should be located at an appropriate location on each floor or area. Where more than one department is situated in the same building or floor they need to share the information to avoid duplication and benefit from additional support in the case of an emergency. Details of Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA) can be found on the Health and Wellbeing webpage.
First Aid Co-ordinators
If you have recently been appointed as a First Aid Co-ordinator, please confirm your details with Safety Training.