From October 2025, the First Aid Quality Partnership (FAQP) has confirmed an update to First Aid training, with catastrophic bleed control – including the use of improvised tourniquets and wound-packing techniques – becoming part of all First Aid at Work (FAW) courses.
These techniques are expected to shift from ‘strongly recommended’ to widely adopted practice, meaning FAW trainers will need to ensure they have had additional accredited training to deliver the new content confidently and safely.
This marks a significant shift in first aid training, helping businesses better prepare for life-threatening bleed scenarios where every second counts.
If your organisation provides FAW training, it’s important to check that your first aid provision is evolving in line with the new expectations. That includes:
Ensuring your first aiders are trained in catastrophic bleed control
Confirming your training provider has updated their course content
Reviewing your workplace first aid needs risk-assessments to determine whether catastrophic bleed risks should now be considered
These updates align with current industry guidance and support employers in meeting their first-aid responsibilities under HSE requirements, giving first aiders the skills to act decisively when the stakes are highest.
If you need support, we offer training with an FAW-qualified instructor fully trained in catastrophic bleed control. We can also deliver standalone Catastrophic Bleed Control training as an addition for those who already hold a Level 3 Emergency First Aid or Level 3 First Aid at Work qualification.
We have worked with Safewell for many years and are retained clients, so we have developed an excellent working relationship with the team. However, this really came into its own when Covid 19 appeared.
As a Plumbing and Heating business, we were able to carry on working during the lockdown but only for responding to emergencies. We were obviously very concerned about the health and safety of our employees and before we even had chance to get in touch with Safewell, they had emailed us offering their assistance. It is hard to put down on paper how that made us feel - we like everyone else felt totally at sea, which way to turn, what to do? But Safewell were there guiding, supporting and being totally brilliant. Their attention to detail is very impressive and reassuring and we feel able to ask lots of questions without feeling silly.
During the pandemic Safewell helped us to write risk assessments, safety procedures and protocols. They kept in touch regularly, issuing new guidance as soon as it appeared and checking in with us. They held group Q&A sessions over Zoom which were helpful, and knowing other businesses were facing the same challenges and having the opportunity to discuss issues was invaluable. Their help during the preparation for a full return to work was brilliant, they enabled us to be fully prepared and feel in control, and when we had our first case of Covid within the team, because we had planned our response it felt ok.
I think our team felt very reassured by our robust approach and that our office was Covid secure. We are extremely grateful to all the team at Safewell
