First Aid Concepts

A certificate in First Aid Concepts will provide students with the necessary training to offer basic medical assistance to individuals that are in need.

Our First Aid Concepts Course is the only First Aid Course that we offer. This course appears in most of our Short Courses and gives students the opportunity to learn about safety in the workplace. 

This course is extremely important, not only for the workplace, but for personal use as well. Here are some of the benefits of completing a First Aid Concepts: Short Course:

  • You can possibly save someone’s life
  • Your employer can trust you to be there if anyone needs emergency medical assistance
  • You can use the skills you have learned in your everyday life

The First Aid Concepts: Short Course Subjects

The First Aid Concepts: Short Course has subjects that range from first aid procedures to the medical-legal implications of first aid. Each subject will give you different skill-sets that will equip you for most emergency cases in the workplace and in your everyday life.

Complete Subject List

Our First Aid Concepts: Short Course has (3) three subjects. Each subject has different topics that explore First Aid Concepts. You need to complete 3 assignments for each subject.  These are the subjects that you need to complete to get your First Aid Concepts: Short Course:

  • Appropriate First Aid Procedures
  • Elementary Human Anatomical Structures
  • The Medical-Legal Implications and Principals of First Aid

Career Opportunities

Our First Aid Concepts: Short Course generally does not allow you to start a career, but it does help with your career. If you further your studies as a First Aid Training Facilitator, Paramedic, fire-fighter or careers that require you to have First Aid. Here are some of the careers that require First Aid:

  • Child Day Care Provider
  • Construction Workers
  • Correctional Service Workers
  • Electricians
  • Life Guard
  • Personal Trainers

What Will I Learn?

Each subject gives you the different skills that will help you make decisions based on emergency situations at the workplace or in your everyday life. Below are some of the many topics covered in each subject.

Appropriate First Aid Procedures: This subject allows you to follow first aid procedures when someone is in need of medical attention. You will also learn that if you have not learned how to do the procedure, then you should not attempt it. 

Elementary Human Anatomical Structures: In this subject, students will learn about the body and some functions of the different body parts, such as the:

  • Abdomen
  • Head 
  • Neck
  • Pelvis
  • Upper limbs
  • Lower limbs

The Medical-Legal Implications and Principals of First Aid: This subject will assist students to understand what their duty is as someone that has first aid. There are many legal implications that can occur if someone is assigned as a first-aider in a workplace or if you decide to help a stranger or family member in an emergency case. This subject guides students to make decisions based on what they can do and what they are allowed to do.

First Aid Concepts: Short Course Assessments

The First Aid Concepts: Short Course has (3) three subjects. Each subject has (3) three assignments that need to be completed and passed with a minimum of 50%.

Assignments

Each subject consists of (3) three assignments:

Appropriate First Aid Procedures 

Get your Certificate of Completion if you get 50% or more for all of your subjects

Assignment 1 – 50% or more

Assignment 2 – 50% or more

Assignment 3 – 50% or more

Elementary Human Anatomical Structures

Get your Certificate of Completion if you get 50% or more for all of your subjects

Assignment 1 – 50% or more

Assignment 2 – 50% or more

Assignment 3 – 50% or more

The Medical-Legal Implications and Principals of First Aid

Assignment 1 – 50% or more

Assignment 2 – 50% or more

Assignment 3 – 50% or more

Get your Certificate of Completion if you get 50% or more for all of your subjects 

(9) nine Assignments in total – You must get an average of 50% in total to receive your First Aid Concepts: Certificate 

* You can complete your assignments as many times as you like and this will be at no additional cost.

Exams

The First Aid Concept: Short Course does not have any final exam. You will submit your only (3) three assignments for each subject. This means that you do not have to apply for study leave to write exams.

NOTE:

All of our Short Courses (Including the First Aid Concepts: Certificate Course) are provided to our students through our partnership with Skills Academy.

A First Aid Course is a course that assists students with the basic skills they need to help a person when they need medical attention (emergency cases). These skills are limited because you cannot perform surgery on someone, but you can assist with a nose bleed or know what to do if a person faints. 

You assist a person while the paramedics appear on the scene. These are all the skills you will acquire in a First Aid Course. It is an important role to play, because your assistance can be what saves someone.

There are many colleges that offer First Aid Courses in South Africa. One of the many colleges is Matric College. We offer one First Aid Courses that allow students to perform First Aid. 

This is the First Aid Concepts: Short Course. It only takes 2 months to complete this course, some students complete this course in less than 2 months. 

Other ways you can get First Aid in South Africa:

  • You can get First Aid at work. All working environments are required to have certain people assigned to do First Aid. You can volunteer and get the necessary First Aid training.
  • Apply at a college that specialises in First Aid Training

Most First Aid Courses are between (2) two days to (2) two month to complete. The type of First Aid Course you choose depends on the career you choose.

To gain the basic First Aid Skills, you can apply for our First Aid Concepts: Short Course. Our First Aid Course takes (2) two months to complete. You can complete this course faster than the required time. Most students complete the course within the first month of their studies.

Here is why First Aid is important:

  • You can save a stranger, a loved one or someone at your workplace. This is an important qualification to have because it can help someone in need of medical assistance until the paramedics arrive.
  • Each company must assign someone that can do First Aid. This is not only to save someone’s life, but also to have a person that is qualified and know about safety precautions.
  • It helps someone from getting further injury. For example, if an individual has fallen and sprained an ankle, you can assist that individual from them injuring themselves even further.
  • It promotes confidence in people that have the qualification. This ensures that people feel safe if something has to happen to themselves or people around them.
  • You can help people feel comforted while they are experiencing injury. This allows yourself and the injured to feel better about the incident. Ultimately, you offer support to the injured.

Here are the (3) three main principles of First Aid:

  1. Saves lives
  2. Boosts recovery
  3. Ensures that the injured condition does not worsen

Saves Lives

You can save someone’s life by performing First Aid. This is why it plays such an important role in the lives of people.

Boosts Recovery

If you have performed First Aid correctly, you can boost the recovery process of the injured person.

Ensures That The Injured Condition Does Not Worsen

If you have no First Aid experience, and you try to assist and injured person, you can worsen their condition. This is why completing a First Aid Course can assist with, not worsen, the already injured individual.

Anyone that has a qualification in First Aid can perform first aid. It is not a good idea to perform First Aid if you do not have any qualification in First Aid. You should also not perform anything that was not taught in First Aid. This means that if you have a First Aid Certificate and it does not cover the topic of performing surgery, then you should definitely not perform surgery. Your role should be to ensure that the injured feels safe and try to avoid any further injury.

There are (4) four levels of First Aid, which includes:

  1. Basic First Aid (Level 0)
  2. Basic First Aid (Level 1)
  3. Basic First Aid (Level 2)
  4. Basic First Aid (Level 3)

The level of First Aid Training depends on the reason why you need First Aid Training. If you need First Aid Training for the workplace or your Child Day Care Centre, then you should apply for our First Aid Concepts: Short Course.

The highest level of First Aid in South Africa is First Aid: Level 3. This Course is at NQF level 3 and includes everything you need as an Advanced First aid Responder.

There are many types of First Aid. Each First Aid Course is for different working or home environments. Here are some of the many types of First Aid:

  • Emergency First Aid
    • This type of First Aid is used when there are cases that include life or death. 
  • Child Care First Aid
    • This type of First Aid is used in Child Day Care Centres or at Crèches
  • Standard First Aid
    • This type of First Aid is commonly used at home or at the workplace and is the most common First Aid Course

Your Next Step Is To Find Employment

Our First Aid Concepts: Short Course allows students to be safe in their working environment as well as in their everyday life. After you have completed the First Aid Concepts: Short Course, you can apply for positions that require you to have a First Aid Certificate.

Why Choose To Study With Matric College?

Students that are comfortable learning through distance learning generally choose to study at Matric College. We are the perfect institution to further your studies. Here is why you should consider choosing to study with Matric College:

  1. Work full-time and study full-time. You do not have to complete the First Aid Concepts: Short Course part-time. We are a distance learning college, which allows you to only submit assignments.
  2. Study in the comfort of your home. As a distance learning college student, you do not have to attend any classes during the day or evening. You only have to submit your assignments through email.
  3. We apply to any COVID regulations. You do not have to be around peers or lecturers because you will study from home. You also will not be attending any exams because the First Aid Concepts: Short Course only requires you to submit assignments.
  4. Our education is affordable. University-level qualifications are generally more than double the amount of a distance learning course.
  5. Study any time. You can register for our First Aid Concepts: Short Course any time of the year, there is no deadline for registration.
  6. Get your study material at no additional cost. Your study material is included n your course fee.
  7. We are an open-access college. You can apply for our  First Aid Concepts: Short Course with or without a Matric Certificate.
  8. We offer Matric Courses as well as Post-Matric Courses. You can complete your Matric as an adult or improve your Matric marks at Matric College.
  9. Our Course Experts can speak up to 11 languages combined. This means that you might be assisted with registration in the language that you prefer. Our Course Experts will guide you through the registration process and ensure that you are choosing a course that matches your interests.
  10.  Avoid social anxiety. If you prefer and learn better in the comfort of your home, then Matric College is the best college for you.

Yes, you can study First Aid without Matric at Matric College. These are the entry requirements for our First Aid Concepts: Short Course:

  • Be at least 16 or older
  • Enjoy learning through distance learning
  • Write, read and understand English

No, you cannot perform First Aid without training. The reasons why you cannot perform First Aid without training are:

  • The legal implications if you injure someone else 
  • You can hurt someone that can ultimately lead to death
  • You can worsen the recovery time
  • You can worsen the condition of the person
  • You can injure yourself

Here are the main differences between First Aiders and First Responders:

 

First Aiders

First Responders

DefinitionA First Aider is the first person the injured person is in contact with.The First Responder is a medical professional such as a paramedic, nurse, doctor etc.
ActionFirst Aiders generally help the injured feel safe and ensures that their injury is not worsened. They then contact First Responders to provide treatment.First Responders are more qualified and deal with treatment such as immediate surgery etc.
QualificationAny First Aid Level or our First Aid Concepts: Short Course.Usually a medical degree such as Nursing, Paramedics etc.

A First Aid Certificate is generally valid for (3) three years in South Africa.

To become a First Aid Trainer in South Africa you need to complete all the First Aid Levels, thereafter you need to register to one or more (SETAs) Sector Education and Training Authorities. Here are some of the documentation you need to apply at a SETA:

  • Certified Copy of your ID
  • Certified Copy of all of your qualifications, including your First Aid Certificates
  • Your CV with all the duties you have performed that related to First Aid
  • Certified Copies of your Assessor Certificates
  • Professional Body Registration

This depends on the size of the business. For every 50 employees, you need at least (1) one Fist Aider with a relevant First aid Qualification. If you are looking to gain the skills for First Aid, you should consider completing our First Aid Concepts: Short Course.

There should be 20 items in a First Aid Kit in South Africa. Here is what is required in a First Aid Kit:

  1. Wound cleaner
  2. Cleaning swabs
  3. Cotton wool
  4. Sterile gauze
  5. A pair of forceps
  6. A pair of scissors
  7. Safety pins
  8. Roller bandages
  9. Triangular bandages
  10. Elastic adhesive
  11. Non-allergic adhesive
  12. Adhesive dressing strips (different sizes)
  13. First Aid dressings (75 mm x 100 mm) and (150 mm x 200 mm)
  14. Straight splints
  15. Latex gloves that are disposable 
  16. CPR mouthpieces 
  17. Disinfectant
  18. Bags for disposal of blood and other contaminated material
  19. Absorbent materials

A First Aid Course in South Africa is between R 1 000 to R 5 000. This depends on the type of First Aid Course you wish to complete as well as the level. To get more information about our First Aid Concepts: Short Course, you can contact one of our Course Experts.

Application Process

Matric College has a simple registration process that can be done in just (3) three steps:

Step 1:

The first step that you need to take is to contact us or allow us to contact you. Here are your options:

  • Register online by completing one of our registration forms. You can do this on your mobile phone.
  • Book a call. We will give you a call back as soon as possible.
  • Contact us on this WhatsApp number (072 799 4195)
  • Call us when you are ready by dialling our landline number (012 762 7100)

You can contact us between these calling hours:

Calling Hours

Step 2:

The second step you need to take is to speak to one of our Course Experts. This will happen after you have followed the first step, which is to make contact with us or allow us to contact you. We will discuss your interests and decide together which course suits you best.

Step 3:

The final step would be to make a decision on the course you are interested in and officially become a student. It means that you will receive your first batch of study material between (5 – 7) working days. After you have received your study material, you can go through the study material and start your course.

How Do I Study The First Aid Concepts: Short Course?

All of our courses, including the First Aid Concepts: Short Course, are completed through distance learning. Distance learning is different from traditional learning because it allows you to work and study. For the First Aid Concepts: Short Course, you only need to submit your assignments through email, and you do not have to write any exams. You can study the First Aid Concepts: Short Course by following these (10) ten steps:

Step 1: Apply for the First Aid Concepts: Short Course through WhatsApp, online registration forms, by booking a callback or by contacting us through our landline number (012 762 7100)

Step 2: Speak to one of our Course Experts. They speak (+ -) 11 languages altogether.

Step 3: Become a registered student for the First Aid Concepts: Short Course

Step 4: Receive your first batch of study material within (5 – 7 working days)

Step 5: Go through the study material and ask for tutor assistance where required 

Step 6: Attempt your first assignment and submit it through email

Step 7: Get comprehensive feedback from our lecturers and tutors

Step 8: Use the feedback to attempt the next assignment until you have completed all the assignments

Step 9: Get your First Aid Concepts: Short Course through courier

Step 10: Apply for your next course

Where Can I Study The First Aid Concepts: Short Course?

You can study the First Aid Concepts: Short Course at Matric College. All of our courses are completed through distance learning. It means that no matter where you are in the world, you can study with us. We do not have any physical classes that any of our students need to attend, and there are no exams for the First Aid: Short Course.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions from people who would like to get more information on First Aid:

  1. Do you get paid more for being trained in first aid?
  2. When should first-aiders be appointed?
  3. Can you get sued for giving first aid?
  4. What is Level 3 first aid Work?
  5. Is a first responder a paramedic?
  6. What are the 4 life-threatening conditions?
  7. What are the 3 emergency action steps?
  8. Is the CPR exam hard?
  9. What are some CPR questions?

No, you do not get paid more for being trained in First Aid, but you gain the necessary skills to potentially save a life.

First Aiders should be appointed as soon as possible.

Yes, you can get sued for giving First Aid if:

  • The person has not agreed to you giving them First Aid
  • You are not qualified to perform First Aid

This is the highest level of First Aid and you will learn everything from basic first aid to medical casualty.

A First responder can be Paramedic but can also be any person that is a professional in the medical field that responds to an emergency.

  1. Bleeding
  2. Heart Attacks
  3. Poisoning 
  4. Shock
  • Step 1: Check the scene and person
  • Step 2: Call an emergency number
  • Step 3: Take care of the person while you are waiting

No, the CPR exams are not hard.

  1. What should you do if someone chokes?
  2. How to react to a person getting a stroke or panic attack?
  3. When to call for medical assistance?

Author: Jesmé Africa
Date Published: May 5, 2022
Editor: Amy Venter