What the FPHC bleeding update means for FAW courses
The position statement is written for pre-hospital clinicians, not for a one-day workplace course. Here is what actually needs to change in a First Aid at Work session, and what does not.
The Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care's position statement on life-threatening bleeding has been read by some providers as a mandate to add tourniquet and haemostatic dressing practice to every First Aid at Work course. It is not.
The statement sets out what should be available and who should be trained to use it. Whether that applies to a given workplace is a question for that workplace's first aid needs assessment.
The questions providers keep asking
Do I have to teach tourniquets on every FAW course?
No. Teach them where the needs assessment identifies a catastrophic bleeding risk, and where the employer is providing the equipment. Teaching a skill for kit the learner will never have is time taken from something they will use.
Has direct pressure been downgraded?
No. Direct pressure remains the first action for the overwhelming majority of bleeding a workplace first aider will meet. The statement addresses the minority it will not control.
Does this change the FAW assessment criteria?
Not on its own. Awarding organisation criteria change when the awarding organisation changes them. Check with yours before rewriting a scheme of work.