North West England
Regular first aid training courses across the North West, including major cities and surrounding areas.
HSE Aligned Training
Accredited Training
Annual First Aid Refresher Training
Half-day Annual First Aid Refresher course to keep certified first aiders' skills sharp between full requalifications — public course dates and on-site delivery across the UK, aligned with HSE refresher guidance.
Duration3 hours
Valid for1 year
LevelLevel 3 / Professional
DeliveryIn-person
Duration3 hours
Valid for1 year
LevelLevel 3 / Professional
DeliveryIn-person
Find a course near you
Accredited by
Nationally Recognised
HSE Aligned Training
Expert Tutors
3 Year Validity
4.9/5 Rating
Annual First Aid Refresher — Key Facts
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Qualification
- Refresher (non-qualification) / Professional Equivalent
- Accredited by
- Brity Training (CPD certificate)
- Certificate valid for
- 1 year
- Group size
- Maximum 12 learners
- Minimum age
- 14+ to learn · 16+ to act as a workplace first aider
- Assessment
- 3 x Practical Assessments
Reviewed by the Brity Training Team
Our training content is reviewed by experienced first aid instructors and training specialists to ensure accuracy, relevance and alignment with current workplace first aid guidance, the Resuscitation Council UK 2025 Guidelines and HSE L74 first aid regulations.
Last reviewed: June 2026
1 · Book your course
Upcoming Annual First Aid Refresher courses
Live availability across the UK — sorted by date or distance from your postcode.
Nationwide UK Coverage
Annual First Aid Refresher Training Across the UK
Brity delivers Annual First Aid Refresher training in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Sheffield, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle upon Tyne and many other locations throughout the UK.
Yorkshire & Humber
Training delivered throughout Yorkshire for businesses, schools and organisations.
Midlands
Workplace and public first aid courses delivered across the Midlands.
South East England
Courses available throughout the South East and Greater London.
South West England
Public and workplace training delivered across the South West.
Wales
First aid training available throughout Wales.
Scotland
Regular course availability across Scotland.
Don't see your location listed? We regularly deliver training throughout the UK and can often provide workplace training directly at your premises.
Get a workplace quote →2 · Understand the course
Everything you need to know
What it covers, who it's for, and how it fits your industry.
Keep Your First Aid Skills Sharp
What is the Annual First Aid Refresher?
The Annual First Aid Refresher is a half-day, HSE-recommended training session designed to keep first aid skills sharp between full requalifications. It is not a qualification in its own right — it does not renew your Level 3 FAW or EFAW certificate — but it is widely used as evidence of continuing professional development and is increasingly expected by larger employers, main contractors and insurers.
The Health and Safety Executive specifically recommends annual refresher training in its guidance, because research consistently shows that first aid skills — particularly CPR — start to decay within months of initial training. A short, focused, hands-on refresher each year keeps reactions sharp, technique current and confidence high for the moment that matters.
Who is the refresher for?
The course is for anyone holding a current FAW or EFAW certificate who wants to keep their skills sharp. It is widely used by workplace first aid teams as part of their annual CPD plan, by site supervisors and health and safety officers who lead by example, and by employers in higher-risk environments who want to demonstrate due diligence beyond the legal minimum.
If your FAW or EFAW certificate has already expired, the refresher is not the right course — you will need to attend a full course (FAW or EFAW as appropriate) to get back into date. The 2-day FAW requalification is only available before your certificate expires.
What does the refresher course cover?
Over 3–4 hours you refresh the priority emergency skills: CPR and AED use, choking response, severe bleeding and shock, unresponsive casualty management, and the most common medical emergencies including heart attack, stroke, anaphylaxis and seizures. Every topic is reinforced with hands-on practice, and the session is built around realistic workplace scenarios to test your decision-making under pressure.
Certification and validity
Learners receive a Brity Annual First Aid Refresher CPD certificate, valid for 12 months from completion. Combined with your underlying FAW or EFAW certificate, the refresher gives you continuous evidence of current, practiced skills throughout the 3-year qualification cycle.
We deliver the refresher as scheduled public courses across the UK and as on-site team training — usually the most cost-effective and least disruptive option for groups of first aiders. Class sizes are kept small so everyone gets real hands-on time, and instructors come from emergency-services, clinical and safety backgrounds.
Quick Facts
- Duration3 hours
- Certificate Valid1 year
- Max Class SizeMaximum 12 learners
- Min Age14+
- Assessment3 x Practical Assessments
- DeliveryIn-person
- Duration3 hours
- Certificate Valid1 year
- Max Class SizeMaximum 12 learners
- Min Age14+
- Assessment3 x Practical Assessments
- DeliveryIn-person
Quick Answers About Annual First Aid Refresher
How long is an Annual First Aid Refresher course?
Half a day, typically 3–4 hours including practice and Q&A.
Is an Annual First Aid Refresher a recognised qualification?
It is a CPD refresher certificate — it does not replace or renew a First Aid at Work (FAW) or Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) certificate.
Who is an Annual First Aid Refresher for?
Anyone holding a current FAW or EFAW certificate who wants to keep skills sharp between requalifications.
Does HSE recommend annual refresher training?
Yes — HSE guidance recommends annual refresher training between full requalifications.
Can an Annual First Aid Refresher be delivered on-site?
Yes — on-site half-day refresher delivery is ideal for teams, with minimal disruption and group pricing.
Is a refresher certificate valid for 1 year?
Yes — a refresher CPD certificate covers the 12 months following the course.
What You Learn On An Annual First Aid Refresher Course
Practical, work-ready skills you'll take away on day one.
CPR & AED Refresh
Updated ratios, technique check, defibrillator practice.
Choking Response
Adult choking algorithm refresh with hands-on practice.
Severe Bleeding
Wound care updates including catastrophic bleeding awareness.
Unresponsive Casualty
Primary survey and recovery position refresh.
Medical Emergencies
Refresher on heart attack, stroke, anaphylaxis and seizures.
Scenario Practice
Realistic workplace scenarios to test your decision-making.
Who Is the Annual First Aid Refresher Course For?
Current FAW certificate holders
Keep skills sharp during the 3-year certificate cycle.
Current EFAW certificate holders
Maintain confidence and competence between requalifications.
Workplace first aid teams
Annual CPD that meets HSE refresher guidance and reassures employers.
Site supervisors and managers
Lead by example with current, practiced first aid skills.
Who Is Annual First Aid Refresher For?
Ideal for
- Current FAW or EFAW certificate holders
- First aiders within 3 years of certification
- Those wanting to keep skills sharp
- Employers requiring annual skills updates
Not suitable if
- Those whose certificate has already expired
- New learners (attend full course instead)
Not sure which course is right for you?
Ideal for
- Current FAW or EFAW certificate holders
- First aiders within 3 years of certification
- Those wanting to keep skills sharp
- Employers requiring annual skills updates
Not suitable if
- Those whose certificate has already expired
- New learners (attend full course instead)
Not sure which course is right for you?
First Aid Requirements By Industry
The right first aid qualification depends on your sector and risk level. The HSE expects employers to base provision on a needs assessment — here's a starting point for common industries.
| Industry | Recommended course | Typical ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| All workplaces with first aiders | Annual refresher strongly recommended to combat skills fade | — | HSE GEIS3 |
Based on HSE L74 Appendix 6 and sector guidance. Always run a documented needs assessment.
How Many First Aiders Does Your Workplace Need?
The HSE doesn't set fixed numbers — it asks employers to complete a first aid needs assessment. Use the guide below as a starting point. Low hazard covers offices, retail and most service environments. Higher hazard covers construction, manufacturing, warehousing, food processing and similar. In the guidance below, EFAW means Emergency First Aid at Work (1-day course) and FAW means First Aid at Work (3-day course).
Enter a headcount to see HSE guidance.
| Employees | Lower hazard (office, retail) | Higher hazard (construction, manufacturing) |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer than 5 | At least 1 Appointed Person | At least 1 Appointed Person — consider EFAW if hazards present |
| 5 – 25 | At least 1 EFAW-trained first aider | At least 1 FAW-trained first aider |
| 26 – 50 | At least 1 EFAW or FAW first aider | At least 1 FAW first aider |
| 51 – 100 | 1 FAW first aider per 100 employees | 1 FAW per 50 employees |
| Over 100 | 1 FAW per additional 100 employees | 1 FAW per additional 50 employees |
Guidance based on HSE L74 (Health and Safety [First-Aid] Regulations 1981). Final numbers should come from your own needs assessment.
3 · What you get
Your qualification, in detail
The certificate, what's included in the price, and exactly how the day runs.
What's Included In The Price
Qualified instructor
Practical CPR/AED practice
Attendance certificate
Small class sizes (maximum 12 learners)
Same-day digital certificate where possible, with a printable PDF to follow
Free re-sit if you don't pass first time
Qualification & Certification
Certificate
Annual First Aid Refresher Certificate
Awarding body
Brity Training (CPD certificate)
Valid for
1 year
Guided learning hours
3–4 hours
Qualification level
Refresher (non-qualification)
Assessment
Continuous practical observation — no formal exam.
Annual First Aid Refresher qualification details for transparency and SEO indexing.
What You'll Learn
- Assessing an incident
- Managing an unresponsive casualty
- Recovery position
- CPR and use of an AED (defibrillator)
- Choking management
- Seizure management
A Typical Day
Every course is a little different — trainers adapt timings to the group and the awarding body. This is an indicative shape of the day.
- 00:00Welcome & confidence check
- 00:15CPR & AED refresher (practical)
- 01:15Choking, bleeding, recovery position
- 02:00Scenario practice & Q&A
- 02:45Certificate & close
What to bring
- • Comfortable clothing — you will be kneeling on the floor
- • A pen and notepad
- • Water or refreshments if you would like them
What to wear
Loose, comfortable clothes, Flat shoes
4 · Trusted by thousands
Why learners choose Brity for Annual First Aid Refresher
The reasons businesses and individuals book with us again and again.
Why Choose Brity For First Aid Training?
We focus on real-world competence, not just ticking a compliance box. Here's what learners and employers tell us makes the difference.
Experienced, certified instructors with real-world backgrounds
Hands-on, practical training
Small class sizes for personalised attention (max 12 learners)
Nationally recognised and HSE-compliant certification
Flexible on-site training at your workplace
Friendly, supportive learning environment
Experienced, certified instructors with real-world backgrounds
Hands-on, practical training
Small class sizes for personalised attention (max 12 learners)
Nationally recognised and HSE-compliant certification
Flexible on-site training at your workplace
Friendly, supportive learning environment
Why Annual First Aid Refresher Training Matters
HSE strongly recommends annual refresher training to combat skills fade. Research shows first-aid confidence and competence drop sharply within 12 months of certification — a short annual refresher keeps your team sharp and your workplace safer.
680,000
UK workers sustained a non-fatal workplace injury in 2024/25
59,219
Non-fatal injuries reported by employers under RIDDOR (2024/25)
1.9 million
Workers suffering from work-related ill health
£22.9bn
Estimated annual cost of workplace injury and ill health (HSE, 2023/24)
Source: HSE workplace injury and ill health statistics 2024/25
Not Sure Which Course You Need?
| Course | Duration | Valid for | Level | Best for | Assessment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Annual First Aid RefresherThis course
|
3 hours | 1 year | Refresher (non-qualification) | Current FAW certificate holders, Current EFAW certificate holders | Continuous practical observation — no formal exam. | |
|
Emergency First Aid at Work
|
1 day (6 hours) | 3 years | Level 3 or professional certificate (varies by course) | Designated workplace first aiders, Office and retail staff | Continuous practical assessment plus a short multiple-choice theory paper. No formal exam pressure. | View |
|
First Aid at Work
|
3 days (18 hours) | 3 years | Professional certificate | Designated workplace first aiders, Construction site staff | Continuous practical assessment across seven skill areas plus two multiple-choice theory papers. | View |
|
Defibrillator (AED) Training with CPR
|
Half day | 3 years | Refresher / awareness | Workplaces with a defibrillator on site, Sports clubs and gyms | Continuous practical observation — no formal exam. | View |
What Our Learners Say
Don't just take our word for it. Here's what people who've completed their Annual First Aid Refresher training have to say.
"The first aid training was exceptional. Our team now feels confident handling emergencies on site."
James Thompson
BuildTech Construction
"Professional, engaging instructors who made the learning experience enjoyable and practical."
Sarah Mitchell
CareFirst Healthcare
"Brilliant fire safety course. The practical demonstrations really helped our staff understand the procedures."
David Wilson
TechHub Office Solutions
"The team training was perfectly tailored to our school environment. Highly recommended!"
Lisa Anderson
Riverside Primary School
"I really didn't know where to turn a few days ago but now I'm so hopeful."
Cat
"A fantastic service which I would highly recommend."
Nikki
"The first aid training was exceptional. Our team now feels confident handling emergencies on site."
James Thompson
BuildTech Construction
"Professional, engaging instructors who made the learning experience enjoyable and practical."
Sarah Mitchell
CareFirst Healthcare
"Brilliant fire safety course. The practical demonstrations really helped our staff understand the procedures."
David Wilson
TechHub Office Solutions
"The team training was perfectly tailored to our school environment. Highly recommended!"
Lisa Anderson
Riverside Primary School
"I really didn't know where to turn a few days ago but now I'm so hopeful."
Cat
"A fantastic service which I would highly recommend."
Nikki
Annual First Aid Refresher — Frequently Asked Questions
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