The latest update to Annex A: Criteria for effective Paediatric First Aid (PFA) training states:

Training is designed for workers caring for young children in the absence of their parents and is appropriate to the age of the children being cared for.

2. Following training an assessment of competence leads to the award of a certificate.

3. The certificate must be renewed every three years.

4. Adequate resuscitation and other equipment including baby and junior models must be provided, so that all trainees are able to practice and demonstrate techniques.

5. The emergency PFA course should be undertaken face-to-face and last for a minimum of 6 hours (excluding breaks) and cover the following areas:

• Understand the role and responsibilities of the paediatric first aider (including appropriate contents of a first aid box and the need for recording accidents and incidents)

• Be able to assess an emergency situation and prioritise what action to take • Help a baby or child who is unresponsive and breathing normally

• Help a baby or child who is unresponsive and not breathing normally • Help a baby or child who is having a seizure • Help a baby or child who is choking

• Help a baby or child who is bleeding

• Help a baby or child who is suffering from shock caused by severe blood loss (hypovolemic shock)

The full PFA course should last for a minimum of 12 hours (excluding breaks) and cover the elements listed below in addition to the areas set out in paragraph 5 (the emergency PFA training elements outlined in paragraph 5 should be delivered face to face).

• Help a baby or child who is suffering from anaphylactic shock

• Help a baby or child who has had an electric shock

• Help a baby or child who has burns or scalds

• Help a baby or child who has a suspected fracture

• Help a baby or child with head, neck or back injuries

• Help a baby or child who is suspected of being poisoned

• Help a baby or child with a foreign body in eyes, ears or nose

• Help a baby or child with an eye injury

• Help a baby or child with a bite or sting

• Help a baby or child who is suffering from the effects of extreme heat or cold

• Help a baby or child having: a diabetic emergency; an asthma attack; an allergic reaction; meningitis; and/or febrile convulsions

Finally, providers should consider whether paediatric first aiders need to undertake annual refresher training, during any three year certification period to help maintain basic skills and keep up to date with any changes to PFA procedures. Did you know that our annual refresher training is free of charge? If you would like to take advantage of this short 3 hour update course please call us on 01483 238 268 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.