Posted By Steve Derby Hi I am pretty certain certification is for 36 months. However, I have always taken the view that that is far too long to remember critical lifesaving skills without refresher. I have always trained my first aiders and APs at much lesser intervals than the COP allows for (for first aid, 2 day refresher at 18 months and full requal after 3 years is what I use, also APs retrain every year). I have been lucky in having employers willing to make this commitment. Depends what you want I suppose, legal minimums or effective first aid when it is needed. Hope that doesn't sound too critical, it isn't meant to be! Steve

Posted By Gff There is no requirement to have refresher training every 3 years, this is usually determined by the training provider which is best practise rather, also the course does not need HSE approval see note below Refersher training for first aiders is every 3 year and should be completed before the current certificate expires this requirement is set by the HSE and the course must be approved by the HSE too From the Guidance It should be remembered that appointed persons are not first aiders and so should not attempt to give first aid for which they have not been trained. However, as the appointed person is required to look after the first-aid equipment and should ideally know how to use it, employers are strongly advised to consider the need for emergency first-aid training for appointed persons. Courses normally last four hours and cover the following topics: what to do in an emergency; cardio-pulmonary resuscitation; first aid for the unconscious casualty; first aid for the wounded or bleeding. HSE approval is not required for this training.