In a medical emergency, the right action in the first few minutes can save a life - and a trained first aider is who provides it before the ambulance arrives. If you are arranging a first aid course in Portlaoise, County Laois, this guide explains exactly what the training covers, who needs it and how your team can get certified online today.
Our Emergency First Aid Course is fully online, self-paced and CPD certified. It takes about 60 to 90 minutes, finishes with a short assessment, and gives you a downloadable certificate the same day - no travel, no classroom day, and no waiting for the post.
Who should take this course
The Emergency First Aid Course is designed for appointed workplace first aiders and any staff who want the confidence to help in an emergency. In Ireland, employers have a clear duty to make sure anyone exposed to these risks is properly trained and competent - and that includes supervisors and managers, not just frontline staff.
Because the course is online and self-paced, it fits around real working life. One person can certify in an afternoon, or a whole team can be brought up to the same standard without anyone leaving the workplace.
What the Emergency First Aid Course covers
The course builds practical, job-ready knowledge from the ground up. By the end you will understand:
- The role of the emergency first aider and the chain of survival
- Assessing a scene and a casualty safely
- CPR and using an AED (defibrillator)
- Choking, bleeding, burns and shock
- The recovery position and an unresponsive casualty
- Recording incidents and restocking the first aid kit
Everything is explained in clear, plain English with real workplace examples, so the learning sticks and people can apply it straight away.
Why Emergency First Aid training matters
When training is skipped, the same avoidable problems show up again and again. The risks our Emergency First Aid Course is built to prevent include:
- Delays in starting CPR
- No clear emergency procedure
- Staff afraid to act in an emergency
- No trained first aider on site
The worst outcome is rarely dramatic equipment failure - it is usually a survivable emergency becoming fatal through delay. Proper training is the simplest, cheapest way to stop that happening, and it gives staff the confidence to do the job safely.
The law in Ireland
This area is governed by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, which require employers to provide first aid, sitting under the general duties in the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007. Together they require employers to assess risks, put controls in place, and make sure staff are trained and competent for the work they do.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) enforces these duties and can request training records during an inspection or after an incident. An accredited Emergency First Aid Course with a dated certificate is a straightforward way to show you are meeting your obligations.
Emergency First Aid Course in Portlaoise
Workplaces across Portlaoise and County Laois carry exactly the same duties under Irish health and safety law as anywhere else in the country. Whether you are a small business in the town centre or a larger employer on the outskirts, the requirement to train your people is the same.
The good news for employers in Portlaoise is that there is no need to travel or book a venue. Our Emergency First Aid Course is delivered fully online, so your team can complete it from the workplace or from home and download a certificate that is valid right across Ireland.
How the online course works
- Enrol online in a couple of minutes - one learner or a whole team.
- Learn at your own pace on any phone, tablet or computer. The Emergency First Aid Course takes about 60 to 90 minutes.
- Pass the short assessment at the end to confirm your understanding.
- Download your certificate the same day - CPD certified and ready for your records.
It really is that simple. No classroom, no waiting, and no disruption to your working week.
Frequently asked questions about first aid training
Do I get a certificate?
Yes. As soon as you pass the assessment you can download a CPD-certified Emergency First Aid certificate, dated and ready for your training records. There is no waiting and nothing to post.
How long does the Emergency First Aid Course take?
The course takes about 60 to 90 minutes. You can pause and resume whenever you like, and finish a short assessment at the end before downloading your certificate.
Will this help me meet Irish health and safety law?
Yes. Completing an accredited Emergency First Aid Course is a clear, recorded way to show you are meeting your duties under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, which require employers to provide first aid and the wider 2005 Act, which is exactly what the HSA looks for.
Who needs to take a Emergency First Aid Course?
It is intended for appointed workplace first aiders and any staff who want the confidence to help in an emergency. If the work involves these risks, the people doing it and those supervising them should be trained.
Can I do the Emergency First Aid Course in Portlaoise?
Yes. Because the course is fully online, anyone in Portlaoise and across County Laois can complete it without travelling. The certificate is recognised right across Ireland.
Other safety courses you may need
Most Irish workplaces need more than one type of safety training. Alongside the Emergency First Aid Course, these accredited online courses are popular with employers like you:
- Fire Warden / Fire Marshal Course - for appointed staff in offices, hotels, shops, care homes, schools, factories and any occupied premises
- Fire Extinguisher Course - for all staff, fire wardens and anyone who may need to tackle a small fire before evacuating
- Asbestos Awareness Course - for construction, maintenance, electrical, plumbing, demolition and refurbishment workers in older buildings
You can explore every course on the Online Safety Courses homepage and certify your team across multiple topics in one place.
Get certified today
Ready to get started? Enrol on the Emergency First Aid Course now, train at your own pace, and download your CPD-certified certificate the same day. It is the simplest step you can take towards a safer, fully compliant workplace.
