Posted By AGPetrie Query for anyone involved in School H&S regarding first aid provision. When determining the numbers of first aiders required for the School, how do you determine the number of first aiders required with respect to the numbers of pupils? All guidance indicates that although there is no legal obligation to provide cover for pupils, it is reasonable to do so. However, do you calculate the number of first aiders based on the guidance of 1 first aider for every 100 persons (low risk environment)? This has the potential to result in an excessively high number of first aiders being required. Any thoughts on the subject would be appreciated, Cheers, Allan

Posted By Adams777 I work across two schools aged ranged from 1 to 18 years old. Risk assessment is the name of the game and not ratios of 1 : to whatever. Think about the situation also. We have nearly 1500 children and over 400 staff including peripatetic. The sports staff have duties which include a range of sports both home and away and always carry first aid kits. Therefore all sports staff are first aid trained. A lot of teachers are involved in school trips and always take a first aid kit in addition to the first aid kit carried by the minibus drivers who also are first aid trained. The two schools are also residential hence all matrons are FAW trained. We have a school nurse (ex military) - need I go on? As I said at the top - risk assessment, and more risk assessment. So you may end up with a lot of staff first aid trained but when you are talking about nearly 2000 people excluding visitors on site every day you cannot be seen to be penny pinching. Adam