Comprehensive First Aid

Gain lifesaving skills for high-risk situations

This course gives you the most comprehensive first aid training available in Aotearoa New Zealand. You'll gain the confidence and skills to respond to serious emergencies — from workplace accidents to medical crises.

Essential life support

• CPR and defibrillator (AED) use for adults, children, and infants
• Choking management for all ages
• Stopping life-threatening bleeding and managing shock
• Recovery position for unconscious casualties

Workplace trauma and injuries

• Head and spinal injuries
• Fractures, dislocations, and soft tissue damage
• Burns, scalds, and chemical injuries
• Poisoning

Complex emergencies

• Heart attacks, strokes, and medical crises
• Hypothermia, heat stroke, and environmental emergencies
• Multi-casualty incidents and scene management
• Coordinating care when multiple people need help

Real-world practice

You'll work through realistic scenarios where you assess priorities, make decisions under pressure, and treat multiple casualties to build the skills and confidence to act when it counts.

Choose how you learn

Face-to-face (2 full days)
Immersive classroom training with hands-on practice throughout. Learn alongside others and get immediate feedback from expert instructors.

Hybrid (6 hours online + 1 day face-to-face)
Complete theory at your own pace online, then join us for a full day of practical skills training. Same certification, more flexible timing.

Both options give you the same comprehensive training and certification.

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Your certification

You'll receive: New Zealand First Aid Certificate
NZQA Unit Standards: 6400, 6401, 6402
Valid for: 2 years from completion

You'll need to complete a 6-hour revalidation course every 2 years to maintain your certification. We'll remind you when it's time.

You'll benefit from this course if:

• You work in a high-risk environment (construction, forestry, manufacturing, emergency services)
• You're responsible for workplace safety or emergency response
• You want to be fully prepared for serious emergencies at work or home
• Your role requires comprehensive first aid certification
• You're building an emergency response team

Comprehensive vs. Essential First Aid

Still unsure? Call us at 0800 RED CROSS (733 27677) or email firstaid@redcross.org.nz

No experience needed

You don't need any prior first aid training or medical knowledge. This course is designed to take you from beginner to confident first responder.

What to expect physically

You'll practice hands-on skills including:

• Kneeling and changing positions
• Chest compressions on training manikins
• Moving and positioning simulated casualties

If you have health or mobility concerns, please let us know when booking — we'll work with you to ensure you can participate comfortably.

How you'll be assessed

You'll demonstrate your skills through practical scenarios with no written exam. Our instructors provide supportive coaching throughout, and the focus is on building real competence, not memorising facts.

To receive your certificate, you'll need to:

• Attend the full course
• Participate in hands-on practice
• Demonstrate the required first aid skills confidently

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What you need

Please bring:

• Comfortable clothes you can kneel and move around in
• Note-taking materials if you like (course manual provided)

To receive your certificate:

• Attend all 12 hours of training
• Successfully demonstrate first aid skills during assessment

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Keeping your skills sharp

Your certificate is valid for 2 years. You'll need to complete a 6-hour First Aid Revalidation course to refresh your skills and renew your certification before 2 years have passed since it was issued.

We'll remind you when it's due. If your certificate expires, you'll need to take the full course again — not just revalidation.

Workplace considerations

Funding: Many employers cover first aid training costs or offer reimbursement. Check with your manager or HR team.

Group training: If you're booking an exclusive group, we can bring the training to your workplace. Email firstaid@redcross.org.nz for a quote.

Compliance: This course meets New Zealand workplace first aid requirements for high-risk environments. Your health and safety officer can confirm if this is the right certification for your role.

Flexible booking

Need to reschedule? Contact us at least 2 business days before your course and we'll move you to another date at no charge.

Cancellations: Full cancellation policy details are provided when you book. Please refer to our First Aid Training Terms and Conditions for further information.