blended or online first aid courses

Blended vs Online First Aid Courses: What’s The Difference?

In today’s dynamic learning environment, the approach to acquiring essential skills such as First Aid has evolved significantly, but what exactly is the difference between online and blended First Aid courses?

We are Lightning Training Solutions, a Somerset based leader in professional First Aid Training services offering a wide range of First Aid courses covering:

  • First Aid At Work
  • Mental Health First Aid Courses
  • Paediatric First Aid Courses (Child First Aid Courses)
  • Anaphylaxis Training Courses
  • Medical Gases Training Courses
  • Epilepsy Awareness Courses
  • Dog/Canine Pet First Aid Courses
  • First Aid Refresher Courses
  • Health and Safety Training
  • Fire Awareness (Fire Safety) Courses
  • Fire Marshal Courses
  • Moving and Handling (Manual and People)
  • Care Sector Training Courses

Our team receives many enquiries, and a frequent question we are asked is “What Is The Difference Between A Blended and Online First Aid Course?”. 

Let’s answer this for you!

Blended First Aid Courses

Blended First Aid Courses offer the opportunity to learn First Aid in a variety of ways. This type of course combines online learning with the practical, hands-on elements. 

The student has the flexibility to learn in their own time, but also has the chance to apply their skills in a real-life setting. This type of course can be beneficial for those who are looking to learn First Aid more deeply or who may have difficulty with our online format. 

We currently offer the following First Aid courses as a blended option:

First Aid At Work (FAW)

Small businesses often take our First Aid at Work open and blended courses in order to satisfy their needs assessment and have a member of staff who is First Aid Trained. Even if it isn’t a requirement, it is wise to assign someone to oversee First Aid arrangements. 

This includes taking care of First Aid equipment, managing the facilities, and calling for help if necessary.

If you would like to learn more about how Lightning Training Solutions can help your business with First Aid at Work, please get in touch with us. Please also keep an eye on our events page for upcoming open and blended First Aid at Work courses.

Duration: 3 days
Blended: Yes (2 days blended, 1-day classroom, or the other way around)

Paediatric First Aid (PFA)

No matter how cautious you are, children are very prone to accidents! From small cuts and bruises to something more serious. 

Our Paediatric First Aid Courses, both open and blended, can help you learn the basics of:

  • treating minor injuries
  • checking vital signs
  • dealing with bleeding and shock
  • understanding First Aid principles
  • dealing with choking and hazardous objects
  • accident procedures
  • First Aid kits. 

This blended course is perfect for early years practitioners, nannies, teachers, or anybody else who works with children under the age of 18.

Duration: 2 days
Blended: Yes (1 day blended, 1 day classroom)

Online First Aid Courses

On the other hand, online courses provide a convenient way to learn First Aid without having to leave the house. 

There are no practical components, but the student can learn in their own time and at their own pace. This type of course can be beneficial for those who need to learn quickly or who may not have the opportunity to attend a physical First Aid Course.

First aid only: These are very good for updating yourself or giving an insight into First Aid, however, these do not fufill the duties or are recognised under The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 as fulfilling the criteria for First Aid training.

This cost effective, efficient learning experience helps keep your business safe and compliant – current courses cost between £15 and £65 each – you can even pay online. 

A sample of our Online First Aid Courses includes:

  • Abrasive Wheels
  • Asbestos Awareness
  • Asbestos Awareness for Architects & Designers
  • COSHH
  • Display Screen Equipment Awareness
  • Assessing Display Screen Equipment
  • Basic Fire Safety Awareness
  • Basic Fire Safety Awareness for Care Homes
  • Fire Marshal
  • Fire Marshal for Care Homes
  • Fire Extinguisher
  • Food Safety Level 1 & 2 (Manufacturing)
  • Food Safety Level 1 & 2 (Catering)
  • Food Safety Level 1 & 2 (Retail)
  • Legionella Management
  • Manual Handling
  • Safeguarding For Children
  • Safeguarding For Adults
  • Working at Heights
  • Emergency First Aid at Work (Refresher)
  • Working Safely

Practical First Aid Courses

We also offer practical only First Aid Courses which are designed to provide comprehensive training in Emergency First Aid and safety,typically taught in a classroom setting.

Most of our First Aid Courses can be run as a practical session, either in a local venue such as a village hall (our open courses are VERY popular!) or we can come to your workplace and offer training in a group setting.

Let’s run through some of our most popular Practical First Aid Courses:

Emergency First Aid At Work (EFAW)

Our one-day Emergency First Aid Course is perfect for businesses that need someone to have a valid and current First Aid Qualification. 

This popular course will give you the ability and confidence to respond to a range of accidents and First Aid emergencies that could occur in the workplace – a very important life skill.

Those who take our One Day Emergency First Aid Course will develop the skills and confidence to help someone who is: unresponsive and not breathing (including how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED), unresponsive and breathing, having a seizure, choking, bleeding heavily, suffering from shock, or with burns.

We offer this course in both an online and open format, plus we can arrange to come to your place of work.

Our One Day Emergency First Aid Course lasts for around 6 hours.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a training course created to help people identify, react to, and offer support to those with mental health issues. 

Our nationally recognised 12-hour course provides learners with the knowledge and assurance to spot the signs of common mental health problems and intervene appropriately. 

By signing up with Lightning Training Solutions, our MHFA lessons assist participants in obtaining the skills to spot early warning signs, so they can feel confident in providing initial help and ensuring the right referral to the relevant services when required.

By taking part in this training, attendees will gain knowledge of:

  • mental health, stigma, and discrimination
  • being able to identify triggering factors linked to mental health difficulties
  • having an understanding of nearby organisations that provide help
  • comprehending how problem-solving and practical tasks aid in recovery
  • and being able to support someone in a crisis situation.

We offer this course in both in a half, one and two day format.

Alternatively, we also offer a Youth Mental Health First Aid one day course.

Fire Safety Training

We offer UK-wide fire safety courses for your staff. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 has made fire safety training a legal requirement for staff members. 

Our Fire Safety Courses are expertly delivered in-house, with courses tailored to our customers’ needs.

Many businesses need fire marshals to be part of their operations. These fire marshals must have additional training to carry out their role correctly. 

We provide in-depth courses to ensure individuals have a full understanding of fire safety, including effective evacuation procedures and fire prevention methods.

Source: First Mats Research Hub

In our course, you’ll learn:

  • Current fire safety legislation
  • The effects of fire on companies
  • The chemical processes that result in fire
  • The causes of fire
  • Effective evacuation procedures
  • Preferable staff reactions to fire
  • Fire protection methods
  • Fire extinguisher training

Our Fire Awareness Course costs £360, and our Fire Marshal Course costs £450. 

NOTE: All our fire training courses include live fire extinguisher use.

Conclusion

Both methods have changed approaches to training for essential skills such as First Aid. 

Both blended and online First Aid courses offer trainees many options, from the opportunity to learn from the comfort of their own homes, with a flexible schedule or blended courses that allow for hands-on practice, but allow learners to hone their First Aid skills in a real-world setting too.

Ultimately, whichever way you choose to take a First Aid course, either online or blended, they provide an ideal learning platform to help you become better prepared to respond in emergency situations.

For any further questions about any of our First Aid courses, feel free to contact us below.