HLTAID011: Provide First Aid – Nationally Accredited Certificate (RTO 31961)

You will demonstrate ARC-aligned first aid skills, including:

• Adult and infant CPR to ARC guidelines
• AED use and safe shock delivery
• Positioning an unconscious breathing casualty to protect the airway
• Treating anaphylaxis, asthma, bleeding, choking, envenomation (pressure immobilisation), fractures, dislocations, sprains/strains, minor wounds, nosebleeds and shock
• Completing a simulated workplace/community incident with handover and reporting

All practical tasks must be performed in line with Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) guidelines and State/Territory codes of practice. This ensures your skills meet nationally recognised and evidence-based first aid standards.

You must perform at least 2 minutes of uninterrupted single-rescuer adult CPR (5 cycles of compressions and ventilations) on a resuscitation manikin placed on the floor, meeting ARC performance standards (rate, depth, recoil, ratio and minimal pauses).

Yes. You will follow AED prompts and deliver at least one shock safely as part of the adult CPR scenario, ensuring correct pad placement, safety checks and resumption of compressions with minimal interruptions.

Yes. You will demonstrate rescuer rotation (single rescuer operators) with minimal interruptions to chest compressions, maintaining quality CPR per ARC guidelines.

Respond appropriately by managing the airway: turn the casualty if needed, clear vomit from the mouth, reassess, and resume compressions and ventilations without undue delay, maintaining casualty safety throughout.

Perform at least 2 minutes of uninterrupted single-rescuer infant CPR (5 cycles) on an infant manikin placed on a firm surface, following ARC guidance for techniques, depth, rate and ventilation.

Place the casualty in a recovery position to reduce airway compromise, monitor breathing, protect from hazards, and call for help per ARC and workplace procedures.

Recognise anaphylaxis, follow any available action plan, promptly administer an adrenaline auto-injector, call 000, and monitor the casualty in line with ARC guidance and workplace procedures.

Provide asthma first aid per guidelines: assist with a reliever inhaler/spacer, monitor breathing, and call 000 if symptoms persist, worsen or are severe.

Apply direct pressure, dress the wound, and monitor for shock. For non-life-threatening bleeding, use appropriate dressings, reassess circulation and escalate if bleeding continues.

Differentiate partial vs complete obstruction and provide back blows and chest thrusts per ARC guidance. Monitor, reassess and seek medical review after the event.

For indicated bites/stings, apply the Pressure Immobilisation Technique (PIT), keep the casualty still, and arrange urgent medical help, following current guidelines.

Use appropriate immobilisation techniques (e.g., splints, slings) to stabilise fractures/dislocations and support sprains/strains, reduce pain and prevent further harm, then monitor and refer as needed.

Yes. You will clean and dress minor wounds and manage nosebleeds with direct pressure and correct positioning, monitoring for persistent bleeding and escalation criteria.

Recognise shock (pale, cool, clammy, rapid pulse), lay flat if appropriate, keep warm, control bleeding, avoid oral fluids if risk, and call 000 as needed.

You will respond to a realistic first aid incident where you have no prior knowledge of the casualty, identify illness/injury, provide first aid, and complete handover and reporting to meet workplace expectations.

Use history, signs and symptoms frameworks (e.g., SAMPLE, OPQRST where relevant) to identify the casualty’s likely condition and guide safe, timely treatment.

Yes. Select and use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and a mask, applying standard precautions to protect both the casualty and yourself.

Convey incident details to emergency services (or advise the casualty on post-incident actions). Provide an accurate verbal and written report consistent with workplace procedures.

Yes. Complete an incident review covering what went well, opportunities to improve, and any necessary follow-up or reporting, aligning with workplace/site procedures.

HLTAID011 Provide First Aid covers nationally recognised first aid knowledge aligned to ARC guidelines, including:

• Legal and workplace procedures, duty of care, consent, privacy
• Infection control and PPE
• CPR for adults, children and infants; AED use and safety
• Recognition and management of common first aid conditions
• Emergency access, chain of survival and reporting

Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) guidelines inform CPR technique, AED use, recovery positioning, choking management and overall first aid decision-making to ensure current, evidence-based care.

The unit references current first aid guidelines from Australian national peak clinical bodies to support best-practice management for specific conditions.

Conduct a scene survey before approaching. Identify hazards such as traffic, electricity, sharps, fire, violence, gases and weather. Apply DRSABCD, use PPE, isolate hazards where possible and use safe patient handling.

Use standard precautions including hand hygiene, gloves, mask and eye protection. Use resuscitation barrier devices, manage sharps safely, and clean or dispose of contaminated items per workplace procedures.

Maintain currency through regular training: CPR annually and full first aid renewal typically every 3 years, supported by workplace drills and refreshers.

First aid codes of practice provide practical guidance for workplaces on training, kits, facilities and procedures, and should be followed alongside ARC and workplace policies.

Follow workplace emergency response plans, incident reporting, kit maintenance, infection control, PPE use, communication and handover procedures.

Typical kit contents: gloves, resuscitation mask, assorted dressings/bandages, triangular bandage/sling, saline, antiseptic, adhesive tape, splinter forceps, scissors, thermal blanket, notepad/pen and local requirements.

Duty of care means providing reasonable care within your training, avoiding negligence and acting in the casualty’s best interests while maintaining your own safety and that of bystanders.

Act within your scope of training, call for help early and refer to advanced care when needed to avoid harm and ensure best outcomes.

Obtain consent from conscious adults. For unconscious casualties, consent is implied. For children, seek a guardian’s consent when available while not delaying urgent care.

Protect privacy by sharing details only with those who need to know (e.g., emergency services) and store records securely per workplace policy and legislation.

Use debriefs, peer support, EAP services and self-care strategies after incidents. Seek professional support if symptoms persist.

Use head-tilt chin-lift for adults/children (neutral position for infants). Place unconscious but breathing casualties in the recovery position to reduce airway compromise.

Cease CPR when there are signs of life, you are relieved, an AED advises otherwise, the scene becomes unsafe, or you are exhausted.

Turn on the AED, follow prompts, attach pads to a bare chest, ensure nobody is touching the casualty during analysis/shock, and resume CPR immediately when instructed.

Regularly check pad and battery expiry, run self-tests as per the manufacturer and store the AED in an accessible, ready-to-use location.

The chain of survival includes early recognition and call for help, early CPR, early defibrillation and advanced care, improving cardiac arrest outcomes.

Call 000, use speakerphone, provide exact location/landmarks and follow instructions. Consider the Emergency+ app for GPS coordinates.

Check response, open the airway and look, listen and feel for normal breathing. Agonal gasps are not normal—begin CPR and use an AED when available.

Compressions at 100–120/min, ratio 30:2. Depth is one-third of chest: adults ~5–6 cm, children ~5 cm, infants ~4 cm.

Compress the centre of the chest on the lower half of the sternum. Use two hands for adults, one or two for children and two fingers for infants.

Differences in airway positioning, compression technique and ventilation volumes apply across ages. Follow ARC age-specific guidance for adults, children and infants.

For mild allergy, monitor and follow the action plan. For anaphylaxis, administer an adrenaline auto-injector immediately, call 000 and monitor closely.

Assist the casualty to sit upright, use a reliever inhaler (with spacer if available), monitor breathing and call 000 if symptoms persist, worsen or are severe.

Apply firm pressure, dress the wound, elevate if appropriate and monitor for shock. Escalate for life-threatening bleeding per workplace protocols.

Cool with running water for 20 minutes, remove tight items, avoid ice/creams and cover with a non-stick dressing.

Stop activity, rest in a comfortable position, call 000, follow ARC guidance/workplace protocols and monitor breathing and responsiveness.

Provide back blows and chest thrusts per ARC guidance, monitor and seek medical review after. Use age-appropriate techniques for infants.

If conscious and able to swallow, give a fast-acting glucose source for suspected hypoglycaemia. Monitor and call 000 if uncertain or no improvement.

Ensure rescuer safety, call 000, start CPR if needed and manage for hypothermia after rescue.

Apply the Pressure Immobilisation Technique (PIT) where indicated; use local measures appropriate to the sting, keep the casualty still and seek urgent medical help.

For chemicals, flush copiously with water. For embedded objects, shield without removing and seek urgent medical care.

Immobilise the area, use slings/splints as required, apply RICE for sprains/strains and monitor circulation, sensation and movement.

Stabilise head/neck, avoid movement, call 000 and monitor airway and breathing until help arrives.

Move to warmth, remove wet clothing, insulate with blankets and warm gradually. Call 000 for moderate to severe hypothermia.

Rest in a cool place, cool with water/fans/ice packs to neck/armpits/groin, give fluids if conscious and call 000 if heatstroke suspected.

Clean with saline/clean water, apply an appropriate dressing and monitor for infection.

Sit leaning forward, pinch the soft part of the nose for 10 minutes and avoid blowing/picking. Seek care if bleeding persists.

Do not induce vomiting. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26) or 000 if life-threatening and follow instructions.

Protect from injury, time the seizure, place in the recovery position afterward and call 000 if over 5 minutes, repeats or first known seizure.

Signs include pale, cool skin, rapid pulse and dizziness. Lay flat (if appropriate), keep warm, control bleeding and call 000.

Wash with soap and water, encourage gentle bleeding, report the incident and seek medical assessment per workplace protocol.

Use FAST: Face droop, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 000. Act quickly for best outcomes.

You will be assessed in realistic, in‑depth scenarios that simulate workplace/community emergencies, using the equipment and resources you would expect on site.

Yes. Performance evidence may be collected in a simulated environment that faithfully reflects real‑world conditions.

Yes. You must demonstrate compressions and ventilations on resuscitation manikins per ARC guidelines.

Yes. You will use adult and infant manikins to demonstrate age‑appropriate CPR technique.

Yes. Operate an AED trainer, follow prompts, perform stand‑clear checks and resume compressions immediately after shock.

Yes. Practise with an adrenaline auto‑injector training device during anaphylaxis scenarios.

Yes. You will use a workplace first aid kit to select and apply appropriate resources.

Yes. Demonstrate asthma first aid with a placebo bronchodilator and spacer.

Yes. Use different wound dressings and bandages to manage bleeding and minor wounds.

Use blankets and appropriate positioning to treat for shock while monitoring ABCs.

Yes. Use PPE and standard precautions throughout assessment tasks.

Complete a workplace injury/trauma/illness record or incident report form accurately.

Scenarios replicate real‑life emergencies with relevant equipment, hazards and resource constraints.

Yes. CPR must follow current ARC guidelines for rate, depth, ratio and minimal interruptions.

Assessors must meet the Standards for RTOs and hold this unit or demonstrate equivalent skills/knowledge.

CPR quality includes: 100–120/min, one‑third chest depth, 30:2 ratio, full recoil and minimal interruptions.