First Aid Course Penrith: Choose the Right Training for Your Business
Every employer in the UK has a legal duty to provide adequate first aid arrangements in the workplace. If you are looking for a first aid course in Penrith, the first step is understanding which qualification your business actually needs and how many trained first aiders you should have on site.
EFAW vs FAW: Which Do You Need?
Under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, employers must provide trained personnel to give immediate help to anyone injured at work. There are two main qualifications — choosing between them depends on your workforce size and risk level. We have a detailed comparison in our EFAW vs FAW course guide.
Emergency First Aid at Work
- Essential life-saving skills
- CPR and choking
- Bleeding and burns
- Best for lower-risk workplaces
First Aid at Work
- Everything in EFAW plus:
- Fractures, spinal injuries
- Heart attacks, strokes, seizures
- Best for higher-risk workplaces
For many small businesses in Penrith and across Cumbria, EFAW is the most practical option. If your risk assessment identifies specific hazards — working at height, machinery, chemicals — the three-day FAW course is likely the right choice.
How Many First Aiders Do You Need?
HSE Staffing Guide
- Low-risk (offices, shops) — at least one EFAW per 25–50 employees
- Higher-risk (construction, manufacturing) — at least one FAW per 5–25 employees
- Also consider shift patterns, annual leave, and lone workers
Even if you only employ a handful of people, you still need an appointed person responsible for calling emergency services and looking after first aid equipment.
What the Course Covers
Both courses include theory and hands-on practical sessions covering: scene assessment, CPR, AED use, choking, wound management, severe bleeding, shock, fractures, medical emergencies (heart attacks, strokes, seizures, allergic reactions), burns, and record keeping. All courses are regulated and certificated. Full details on our first aid training page.
Why Train in Penrith?
Our Penrith centre is at Redhills Business Park, just off the M6 at Junction 40 with free parking. Easy to reach from Keswick, Appleby, Kendal, and further afield. We also run courses at our Cockermouth centre and can deliver on-site at your premises anywhere in Cumbria. Read more: why choose a local training provider in Cumbria.
Booking Your Course
We run first aid courses throughout the year. Check available dates on our courses page, or get in touch for an on-site training quote. Not sure which course is right? Give us a call and we will talk you through the options.
Key Takeaways
- Every UK employer must provide adequate first aid — it is a legal requirement
- Choose EFAW (1 day) for lower-risk or FAW (3 days) for higher-risk workplaces
- Both qualifications are valid for three years
- Consider shift patterns and lone workers when deciding how many to train
Get Your Team Trained
CPD-accredited first aid courses at our Penrith centre or on-site at your workplace across Cumbria.
01768 807 258 info@cumbriafiresafetytraining.co.uk
