Level 3 Certificate in First Response Emergency Care – FREC 3 Course

The FREC 3 (First Response Emergency Care Level 3) course is designed to provide learners with the foundational skills needed to manage emergency medical situations before professional medical help arrives. Below is an overview of the content typically covered on our course.

Basic Life Support (BLS) and CPR

• CPR Techniques: Learning the basic principles of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for both adults and children.
• AED Use: Understanding and practicing the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to restore a normal heart rhythm in cases of cardiac arrest.
• Airway Management: Techniques for clearing and maintaining an open airway, including head-tilt/chin-lift, jaw thrust, and recovery positions.

Patient Assessment

• Primary Survey: Conducting a rapid assessment to identify immediate life-threatening conditions (airway, breathing, circulation, disability, exposure).
• Secondary Survey: A more detailed assessment to identify less urgent injuries or conditions, including taking medical history and identifying signs and symptoms.
• Vital Signs: Monitoring and recording key vital signs such as pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen levels.
• Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS): Assessing levels of consciousness to determine the severity of neurological impairment.

Trauma Management

• Wound Care: Proper methods for cleaning, dressing, and managing wounds to prevent infection and control bleeding.
• Bleeding Control: Techniques for managing different types of bleeding, including direct pressure, elevation, and the use of tourniquets.
• Fracture Management: Techniques for immobilizing fractures using splints or other materials to prevent further injury.
• Spinal Injury: Identifying and managing spinal injuries, including the correct use of spinal immobilization devices.

Medical Emergencies

• Respiratory Emergencies: Recognizing and managing common respiratory issues such as asthma, choking, and hyperventilation.
• Cardiac Emergencies: Responding to cardiac-related emergencies, including chest pain and suspected heart attacks.
• Seizures: Understanding the causes and management of seizures, and how to provide care during and after a seizure.
• Hypoglycaemia: Recognizing and treating low blood sugar levels, particularly in diabetic patients.
• Anaphylaxis: Managing severe allergic reactions and administering adrenaline (epinephrine) for anaphylaxis.

Environmental Emergencies

• Heat and Cold Injuries: Identifying and treating conditions like heatstroke, hypothermia, and frostbite.
• Poisoning and Overdoses: Recognizing signs of poisoning or overdose and knowing how to administer appropriate first aid, including the use of activated charcoal or antidotes.

Medical Equipment

• Oxygen Administration: Learning how to use oxygen therapy in a pre-hospital environment for patients in respiratory distress.
• Splinting and Bandaging: Techniques for applying splints and bandages to injured limbs and body parts.
• Medicines: Understanding basic medications used in pre-hospital care, including pain relief, antihistamines, and adrenaline.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

• Duty of Care: Understanding the legal responsibilities and ethical considerations when providing first aid and emergency care.
• Consent: Knowing how to obtain consent from patients (if possible) and understanding when consent may not be required (e.g., unconscious patients).
• Record Keeping: The importance of documentation and maintaining accurate records of patient care and the treatment provided.

Safe Practice and Personal Safety

• Infection Control: Proper hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent infection transmission.
• Scene Safety: Assessing the scene for hazards and ensuring the safety of both the rescuer and the patient.
• Stress Management: Techniques for managing personal stress during an emergency and supporting others in high-pressure situations.

Assessment

• Practical Assessment: Learners must demonstrate their ability to apply the skills learned in realistic emergency scenarios.
• Theory Exam: A written or online exam covering the theoretical aspects of emergency care, including knowledge of medical conditions, treatments, and procedures.

Duration of the FREC 3 Course

The Qualsafe First Response Emergency Care Level 3 meets all the competencies for a non-health care professional pre-hospital provider to care for patients as a secondary role. It has 43 hours of contact learning time, delivered as a 5-day course.

The training will include a mix of in-person classroom training and practical hands-on exercises, and some online pre-course learning.