Essential First Aid

Core lifesaving skills for everyday emergencies

This one-day course gives you the essential first aid knowledge and practical skills to respond confidently when someone needs help. You'll master the fundamentals from CPR to managing injuries without the advanced topics required for high-risk workplaces.

Life support essentials:

• CPR for adults, children, and infants
• Using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
• Choking management for all ages
• Recovery position for unconscious casualties
• Primary assessment (checking for life-threatening conditions)

Common injuries and trauma:

• Life-threatening bleeding and shock management
• Burns and scalds
• Fractures, dislocations, and soft tissue injuries
• Poisoning

Medical emergencies:

• Heart attacks and cardiac emergencies
• Strokes and neurological events
• Diabetic emergencies and seizures
• Allergic reactions

Practical, hands-on training

You'll practice on manikins and work through realistic scenarios, building the confidence to act when someone near you needs help at your workplace, home, or out in the community.

Choose how you learn

Face-to-face (8 hours, full day)
Complete all training in the classroom with continuous hands-on practice. Perfect for those who prefer immersive, in-person learning.

Hybrid (4 hours online + 4 hours face-to-face)
Build foundational knowledge online at your own pace, then join us for a half-day of practical skills training. Same certification with more flexibility.

Both options cover identical content and award the same certification.

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Your certification

Certificate awarded: Foundation First Aid Certificate
NZQA Unit Standards: 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 low-risk office, retail, or community environment
• Want practical first aid skills for everyday situations
• Are learning first aid for personal confidence and preparedness
• Need workplace first aid certification but don't work in high-risk industries
• Want to be able to help family, friends, and colleagues in common emergencies

Essential vs. Comprehensive First Aid

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

Perfect for childcare workers

If you provide in-home childcare or work in early childhood education, Essential First Aid gives you the NZQA Unit Standards (6401, 6402) required for licensing, plus practical skills for managing childhood emergencies.

Note: If you're a parent or caregiver wanting child-specific first aid without needing NZQA certification, see our First Aid for Parents and Caregivers course instead.

No experience needed

This course is designed for beginners. You don't need any prior first aid knowledge or medical background, we'll teach you everything from the ground up.

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-world confidence, not memorising facts.

To receive your certificate, you'll need to:

• Attend the full 8 hours of training
• Participate in hands-on practice
• Demonstrate required first aid skills competently

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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 8 hours of training (or 4 hours face-to-face for Hybrid)
• Successfully demonstrate first aid skills during assessment

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Keeping your skills current

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

Is Essential First Aid enough for my workplace?
Essential First Aid meets requirements for low-risk workplaces. Your health and safety officer can confirm if this certification level is appropriate for your role.

If you work in high-risk environments (construction, forestry, manufacturing, emergency services), your workplace likely requires Comprehensive First Aid instead.

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

Group bookings: Training your whole team? For groups, we can bring the course to your place. Sports clubs, volunteer organisations, community centres, and marae often choose Essential First Aid for their people. Group rates available. Email firstaid@redcross.org.nz for a quote.

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.