Experts have sounded the alarm for more workplaces to urgently invest in first aid training, with new research* finding one in two people (49%) would feel panicked if they came across a health emergency, due to lack of training.
The new data, released by England’s leading first aid charity, St John Ambulance, also revealed that more than a quarter of people surveyed (26%) said they had never learned any first aid.
Only four in 10 people know the first aid skills needed to save someone bleeding out, suffering a cardiac arrest or choking.
Lisa Sharman, Head of Education & Commercial Training at St John Ambulance, shared her concerns:
The lack of first aid knowledge, combined with the panic that can set in during emergencies, is something no employer or employee should have to experience—whether at work, at home, or beyond. Investing in first aid training isn’t just about meeting workplace regulations—it’s about empowering people with the confidence, knowledge and skills that can save lives, anywhere.
Lisa Sharman, Head of Education & Commercial Training at St John Ambulance
St John Ambulance specialises in one-day Emergency First Aid at Work training courses covering adult resuscitation (CPR), burns and scalds, choking, communication and casualty care, use of defibrillators, bleeding, seizures, shock, unresponsive adults and more.
With greater moves toward hybrid working in recent years, many employers need to reassess their first aid needs. Some workplaces may now need more trained first aiders than in the past, with not all workers being in the same place at the same time.
St John Ambulance is urging all workplaces to take a day, to save a life, by investing in emergency first aid training and upskilling their workers.
The St John Ambulance Emergency First Aid at Work training course is especially suited for nominated first aiders in smaller, low risk working environments, such as small offices.
St John Ambulance is also one of the most trusted providers for Emergency First Aid at Work, with organisations across England rating their training courses at 4.9 out of 5, based on more than 40,000 reviews*.
St John Ambulance is calling on all employers to invest a day of their employees’ time, to join a one-day St John Ambulance training course and learn lifesaving skills.
Responsible employers across England invest in Emergency First Aid at Work, and Mental Health First Aid training courses, both of which are offered by St John Ambulance.
For more information, and to book a First Aid at Work training course with St John Ambulance, visit https://www.sja.org.uk/courses/.
Joanne is the editor for Workplace Wellbeing Professional and has a keen interest in promoting the safety and wellbeing of the global workforce. After earning a bachelor's degree in English literature and media studies, she taught English in China and Vietnam for two years. Before joining Work Well Pro, Joanne worked as a marketing coordinator for luxury property, where her responsibilities included blog writing, photography, and video creation.
