ADVANCED FIRST AID
First Response Emergency Care
The FREC Level 3 and Level 4 (First Response Emergency Care) courses are regulated qualifications designed for individuals who may be required to deliver effective medical care in high-risk, remote, or time-critical environments.
The programme provides a structured progression from immediate life-saving response to advanced casualty management and clinical decision-making. Training equips learners with the skills to assess, treat, and manage medical and traumatic incidents until advanced medical support becomes available, or for extended periods where evacuation may be delayed.
FREC Level 3 focuses on core emergency care competencies, including patient assessment, airway management, catastrophic haemorrhage control, trauma care, and medical emergencies. It is widely required for roles in security operations, close protection, event safety, remote work, and overseas deployment.
FREC Level 4 builds on this foundation, developing enhanced assessment skills, advanced trauma management, structured medical planning, and leadership during complex incidents. It is intended for experienced personnel who may hold increased medical responsibility, operate with greater autonomy, or supervise medical responses in austere or hostile environments.
Training across both levels is practical, scenario-based, and aligned with operational realities. Delivery and assessment are conducted in accordance with awarding body and regulatory standards, ensuring consistency, credibility, and recognised certification.
FREC 3 – First Response Emergency Care (Level 3)
Duration: 5 Days (35+ Guided Learning Hours)
Accreditation: Qualifying First Response Emergency Care – Level 3
Aligned with: UK Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Framework (RQF/Ofqual)
Pre-requisites
- Learners must be 17+ years old
- Reasonable physical fitness
- No prior qualification required – However we do recommend some prior knowledge or qualification in basic first aid.
Curriculum
Patient Assessment & Primary Care
- Scene safety and dynamic risk assessment
- Patient assessment model (Catastrophic Bleeding → ABCDE)
- Vital signs, baseline observations and monitoring
Airway & Breathing Management
- Airway adjuncts (OPA/NPA)
- Suction and airway clearance
- Oxygen therapy (high-flow & controlled)
- Assisted ventilation (BVM)
First Aid & Trauma Management
- Catastrophic haemorrhage control
- Tourniquets & haemostatic dressings
- Shock recognition and management
- Burns, fractures, sprains, spinal immobilisation
- Chest injuries (open, flail chest)
- Medical vs trauma differentiations
Medical Emergencies
- Stroke, diabetes, asthma, seizures
- Cardiac conditions
- Anaphylaxis
- Sepsis indicators
Resuscitation
- Adult CPR & AED
- Basic trauma life support (BTLS)
Operational Skills
- Patient movement
- Triage
- Documentation & handover (ATMIST/SBAR)
- Incident reporting
Learning Outcomes
Learners will:
- Conduct full patient assessments using recognised pre-hospital models
- Manage catastrophic bleeding and major trauma confidently
- Maintain airway patency using adjuncts and assisted ventilation
- Provide high-quality oxygen therapy
- Recognise and manage medical emergencies
- Perform CPR and safe AED use
- Provide structured handovers to paramedic-level responders
Assessment
- Practical skill assessments
- Scenario evaluations
- Multiple-choice or short-answer test depending on awarding organisation
Audience
Ideal for:
- Security teams
- Close Protection operatives
- Event medics
- Police / Fire support roles
- High-risk workplace responders
- Those progressing toward FREC 4 or EMT-level training
FREC 4 – First Response Emergency Care (Level 4)
Duration: 5 Days + Portfolio Development
Accreditation: Level 4 First Response Emergency Care
Aligned with: UK Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Framework (RQF/Ofqual)
Pre-requisites
- Must hold FREC 3 (in date)
- Recommended: current workplace/basic first aid competence
- Learners must be physically capable of performing advanced trauma skills
- Must bring documentation/logbook proving FREC 3 status
Curriculum
Advanced Patient Assessment
- Expanded ABCDE approach
- Advanced vital signs interpretation
- Secondary assessment and differential diagnosis
Airway & Respiratory Management
- Advanced airway care (airway adjuncts, suction, assisted ventilation)
- Nebuliser therapy
- Respiratory system examination (auscultation included where allowed)
Trauma Management
- Advanced catastrophic bleeding control
- Shock pathophysiology
- Advanced splinting, traction devices
- Management of spinal injuries & immobilisation
- Crush injuries
- Blast injuries
Medical Care
- Diabetes, cardiac issues, acute asthma, anaphylaxis
- Stroke assessment tools
- Seizure management
- Administration of lifesaving medications (where legislation allows)
Resuscitation & Emergency Response
- CPR, AED & post-ROSC care
- Use of BVM and airway adjuncts at advanced level
- Team leadership during resuscitation
Operational & Clinical Skills
- Major incident management
- Triage systems (Sieve/Sort)
- Patient movement, extrication & evacuation
- Clinical documentation and report writing
Learning Outcomes
Learners will:
- Undertake advanced patient assessments and identify deterioration
- Manage advanced trauma scenarios
- Lead first-response teams in emergencies
- Provide enhanced airway management
- Deliver structured clinical handovers
- Operate safely within pre-hospital care and major incident systems
Assessment
- Practical scenarios
- Skills stations
- Written knowledge assessment
- Completion of clinical portfolio/logbook (cases may be simulated)
Audience
Intended for:
- High-risk security personnel
- CP operatives
- Remote medics
- Event medics (advanced tier)
- Those progressing towards Level 5 or EMT careers
Pre-requisites
- Must hold FREC 3 (in date)
- Recommended: current workplace/basic first aid competence
- Learners must be physically capable of performing advanced trauma skills
- Must bring documentation/logbook proving FREC 3 status
For UK guidance on first aid and emergency care, visit the Health and Safety Executive (HSE):