Rank: Forum user 
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We have a number of first aiders at work who are appropriately trained. In the past, this training has been provided by one of the major first aid training providers.
As we now look at the need for annual refresher training, consultation with employees has found that they wish to have all first aid training provided by this major training provider because the training provider gives "free associate membership insurance" to all who pass their training in respect of first aid delivered outside the workplace, i.e. not covered by the employers' ELI.
We are able to source equally adequate approved training at lower cost and in a more adaptable way but employees who volunteer to be first aiders feel that this leaves them vulnerable to litigation for first aid administered outside the workplace, despite the fact that non of them have actually administered first aid whilst not at work.
Whilst we do not have a "Good Samaritan Law" in the UK, I would be interested in your views on liability of the first aider as a private individual should the circumstances arise, and especially any case law that may exist?
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I seem to remember the courts issuing a statement several years ago stating that any attempt to sue a first aider for attempting to administer first aid within their competence would be thrown out before hearing.
The liklehood of action is perhaps more accurately reflected by the statement that the provider is offering 'free insurance'.
Who would do that if there was even the slightest risk of a claim?
They may be a registered charity and/or a 'not for profit' organisation but they are still a business.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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We are one of the largest providers of first aid training in the UK, and we tell people not to worry about this as it has never happened yet, and I would also endorse what SS says in the post above,
John
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Rank: Super forum user
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Rank: Super forum user
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Just a quick note that NONE of the first aid training providers are 'approved training providers' any longer. Any who claim to be are either lying or simply failing to keep their sales material and websites up to date. The 'major' providers used to be 'approved' by HSE - but now anyone can set up in business and offer first aid training, since there is no national vetting or approvals scheme - HSE have been pulled off the job.
Standards will fall (have fallen?) but heigh ho - this is the lighter touch less bureaucracy world we live in.
And I agree that "free insurance" isn't likely to be worth anything.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Employers & users of training services areclients of significant amount of training, and very little or none is HSE Approved, therefore why should first-aid be an exception? An employer will need to undertake varying levels of due diligence (reasonable enquiry or investigation) into how they select a first aid training provider. Acoording to the HSE for Criteria for first aid training All first aid training providers will need to be able – and should be prepared to demonstrate how they satisfy certain criteria set by HSE. These criteria include: the qualifications expected of trainers and assessors monitoring and quality assurance systems teaching and standards of first-aid practice syllabus content certification http://www.hse.gov.uk/fi...d/first-aid-training.htmThe is guidance on vetting training providers, including a checklist:- http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/geis3.pdf
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Rank: Forum user
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Insurance for First Aiders is in my mind akin to the time insurers were offering alien abduction insurance; neither are worth the paper they are written on as nobody is every likely to claim on them! :)
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