Rank: Forum user 
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Can anyone assist please!
I am currently advising a medium sized College who from time to time run educational visits to enhance curriculum learning. Each visit is risk assessed and appropriate measures put in place.
An issue has arisen regarding the provision of a first aider (or EFAW qualified) to the educational visit.
My argument is that it will depend very much on the needs of those on the visit as some of the learners do have pre existing medical conditions and special educational needs. They may or may not be accompanied by a parent or carer.
Whilst on the College site awaiting transportation, the first aid team would respond and deal whilst at the venue there is an expectation that first aid would be available if required.(checked prior to visit)
The difficulty appears to arise whilst 'in transit' between college and venue or on return journey. Is there a 'legal requirement'? - (notwithstanding coaches / minibuses are equipped with first aid kits - but not neccesarily first aid trained drivers).
I have argued that if learners go their own way at the venue, and then meet up later, it is impossible to provide 1:1 first aid cover and what will be, will be.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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Rank: Guest
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Rob
I had this problem for nine years and we had 24 minibuses going out daily all over the country. We tried as best as we could to ensure the organiser who accompanied the trip was first aid trained (emergency mainly) but of course loads of visits went out without first aid cover.
We ended up with a huge bill and something like 80 odd first aid trained staff - it got unmanageable and finally the decision was made that short visits would not necessarily have first aid trained staff on board but longer ones would. I never found any legislation which covered this issue and relied on risk assessment. Don't forget that first aiders are all volunteers.
I was also told that the first aid kit in vehicles was there for use but not necessarily by the driver.
Rich
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Rank: Forum user
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The first aid regulations cover the duty of an employer to their employees. I am assuming that the learners are not employees and therefore legally the first aid regulations are irrelevant in this particular instance.
The following has been cut and pasted from the HSE website the FAQ on first-aid
What should employers do for employees who travel regularly or work elsewhere?
Employers are responsible for meeting the first-aid needs of their employees working away from the main site. The assessment of first-aid needs should determine whether:
those who travel long distances or are continuously mobile should carry a personal first-aid box; and
employees should be issued with personal communicators/mobile phones.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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matelot1965 wrote:The first aid regulations cover the duty of an employer to their employees. I am assuming that the learners are not employees and therefore legally the first aid regulations are irrelevant in this particular instance.
The following has been cut and pasted from the HSE website the FAQ on first-aid
What should employers do for employees who travel regularly or work elsewhere?
Employers are responsible for meeting the first-aid needs of their employees working away from the main site. The assessment of first-aid needs should determine whether:
those who travel long distances or are continuously mobile should carry a personal first-aid box; and
employees should be issued with personal communicators/mobile phones. Sounds sensible and proportionate to me. There could be an argument that mobile phones can be in an area where a signal cannot be obtained. However, for me I think the first aid box is the important bit.
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Rank: Forum user
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The students are not employees but the teachers and helpers are, even if they are volunteers.
That being said, there is probably not much call for a first aider on a bus so if the venue is covered a phone and a first aid kit would probably suffice.
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