AED & Defibrillator Training

AED Training

Practical half-day AED training covering cardiac arrest, CPR and hands-on defibrillator use, so learners know what to do when every second counts.

AED Training training with Good Skills Training
Family-run since 2005 Personal, friendly service
ISO 9001 certified Course design, delivery & certification
UK-wide workplace delivery In-house training across the UK
Regulated, recognised & bespoke Qualifications, programmes & GST courses
Delivery & course duration
Face-to-face Half day
Certification
Good Skills Training
Maximum learners
Up to 12 per tutor

About the training

Course Overview

Our AED Training is a practical half-day course that teaches learners how to recognise cardiac arrest, perform effective CPR and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) safely and promptly. AEDs are designed to be straightforward to use, but training gives people the opportunity to practise what to do before they are faced with a real emergency. We don't just teach learners which buttons to press. We help them understand what the AED is doing, why early defibrillation matters and how CPR and AED use work together. Learners practise CPR using training manikins and use AED training units to work through realistic cardiac arrest scenarios. We look at applying the pads correctly, following the AED prompts, keeping everybody safe during rhythm analysis and shock delivery, and minimising interruptions to CPR. We also answer the practical questions people often have about using a defibrillator, including clothing, chest hair, wet casualties, implanted medical devices, pad positioning and what happens if the AED says that a shock isn't required. The emphasis throughout is practical, interactive and relevant. Learners get plenty of opportunity to practise, ask questions and work through realistic situations so that they understand not only what to do, but why they are doing it.

Who should attend?

Who is this course for?

  • Workplace employees who may need to respond to a cardiac arrest.
  • First aiders who want additional practical CPR and AED training.
  • Employees working at sites where an AED is provided.
  • Staff responsible for checking or maintaining workplace AEDs.
  • Sports, leisure and fitness staff who may need to respond to a cardiac emergency.
  • Community groups and volunteers with access to an AED.
  • Anyone who wants practical training in CPR and defibrillator use.

Course content

What will you learn?

  • Recognising cardiac arrest and knowing when to act.
  • The difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest.
  • Checking for danger and assessing responsiveness.
  • Recognising normal and abnormal breathing.
  • Calling 999 and getting an AED.
  • The chain of survival and why early action matters.
  • Performing effective adult CPR.
  • Chest compression position, depth, rate and recoil.
  • Rescue breaths and the use of barrier devices.
  • Minimising interruptions to CPR.
  • What an automated external defibrillator does.
  • How an AED analyses the heart rhythm and decides whether a shock is required.
  • Preparing a casualty for AED use.
  • Correct AED pad positioning.
  • Following AED voice and visual prompts.
  • Safety during rhythm analysis and shock delivery.
  • What to do when a shock is advised.
  • What to do when no shock is advised.
  • Combining effective CPR with AED use.
  • Using an AED where the casualty is wet or has excessive chest hair.
  • Considerations for implanted medical devices.
  • AED storage and accessibility.
  • Routine AED checks, replacement pads, batteries and expiry dates.
  • Practical CPR and AED scenarios.

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The details

Course Information

The practical details you may need before arranging or booking this course.

Qualification code

AED

Maximum learners

Maximum learner-to-tutor ratio: 12:1.

Prerequisites

There are no formal prerequisites for attending AED Training and learners do not need to be qualified first aiders.

The course is practical and learners will be expected to take an active part in CPR, AED practice and simulated cardiac arrest scenarios.

Practical CPR normally involves working at floor level. Learners should tell us before the course about any disability, medical condition or additional support requirement so that appropriate support and reasonable adjustments can be considered.

Course duration

AED Training includes 3 contact hours and is delivered face-to-face over half a day.

Good Skills Training normally delivers the course from 09:30 – 12:45 or 13:45 – 17:00, including a 15-minute break.

The course combines explanation and demonstration with plenty of hands-on CPR and AED practice. Learners also work through realistic cardiac arrest scenarios to bring the different parts of the response together.

Assessment

The Good Skills Training AED Training certificate is valid for 3 years.

Learners who need to maintain their AED training should complete further AED Training before their current certificate expires.

Regular practical refresher training is strongly recommended during the three-year certification period to help keep CPR and AED skills fresh and easier to recall in an emergency.

Employers should also arrange additional refresher training when AED equipment, workplace procedures or relevant resuscitation guidance change, or where practice identifies that further training would be useful.

Certification

Learners who successfully complete the course and assessment receive a Good Skills Training AED Training certificate, valid for 3 years.

Good Skills Training is ISO 9001 certified for the delivery of training and consultancy services, including course certification. You can find out more about how we certificate first aid courses here.

Requalification

There is no fixed expiry for this GST course unless stated in the booking confirmation. Employers should schedule refresher training when procedures, risks or guidance change, or where practice shows it is needed.

Other training options

Need a different option?

If you need a regulated qualification, a refresher or a different level of training, these options may be more suitable.

Regulated option

Need an Ofqual-regulated qualification?

QNUK Level 3 Award in Responding to Incidents with an AED

Our regulated alternative to this course.

View regulated qualification

Customer feedback

What learners say about this training

Feedback from people who have experienced this training with Good Skills Training.

View all testimonials

I have no formal first aid training and this course certainly opened my eyes to the bigger picture in life, the course was informative and presented with great emphasis on acting quickly to the situation, I certainly would not hesitate to carry…

Alexander Stewart Rainham Industrial Services Ltd

"Good to get real life situations and experience The teacher was excellent, so informative and I have learnt so much. Helen was so knowledgable and approachable, she kept me interested throughout the whole training. Brilliant Tutor! I enjoyed the course and have…

Attendee on an AED Course Anpora UK Limited

The trainer delivered the whole session in a great way, he was approachable, humorous to break up what could be quite a heavy subject, and answered all of our questions in a kind way...of which there were many the poor chap!

Attendee on an AED Course Prettys

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