The unit applies to all workers who may be required to provide a first aid response in a range of situations, including community and workplace settings.

State/Territory regulations, first aid codes of practice and workplace procedures including:

  • ARC Guidelines relevant to provision of CPR and first aid
  • safe work practices to minimise risks and potential hazards
  • infection control principles and procedures, including use of standard precautions
  • requirements for currency of skill and knowledge.

Legal, workplace and community considerations including:

  • awareness of potential need for stress-management techniques and available support following an emergency situation
  • duty of care requirements
  • respectful behaviour towards a casualty
  • own skills and limitations
  • consent
  • privacy and confidentiality requirements
  • importance of debriefing.

Considerations when providing first aid including:

  • airway obstruction due to body position
  • appropriate duration and cessation of CPR
  • appropriate use of an AED
  • chain of survival
  • standard precautions
  • how to conduct a visual and verbal assessment of the casualty.

Principles and procedures for first aid management of the following scenarios:

  • abdominal injuries
  • allergic reaction
  • anaphylaxis
  • basic care of a wound
  • bleeding control
  • burns
  • cardiac conditions, including chest pain
  • choking and airway obstruction
  • crush injuries
  • diabetes
  • dislocations
  • drowning
  • envenomation
  • environmental impact, including hypothermia, hyperthermia, dehydration and heat stroke
  • eye and ear injuries
  • fractures
  • febrile convulsions
  • head, neck and spinal injuries
  • minor skin injuries
  • needle stick injuries
  • poisoning and toxic substances
  • respiratory distress, including asthma
  • seizures, including epilepsy
  • shock
  • soft tissue injuries, including strains and, sprains
  • stroke
  • unconsciousness.

Basic anatomy and physiology relating to:

  • how to recognise a person is not breathing normally
  • chest
  • response/consciousness
  • upper airway and effect of positional change
  • considerations in provision of first aid for specified conditions