First Aid Courses
Ralmed runs first aid courses accredited by the HWSETA, the QCTO and the Department of Employment and Labour, from Basic to Advanced (formerly First Aid Level 1 to Level 3), for workplaces anywhere in South Africa, at your site or our Sandton training room.
HWSETA accredited training providerAccreditation no. HW592PAA000200
Approved by the Department of Employment and LabourFirst aid training provider no. CI-179/3/12/1
QCTO accredited skills programmesSP-230801, SP-230802 and SP-230803
At a glance
- Accredited by HWSETA, QCTO and the Department of Employment and Labour
- Basic, Intermediate and Advanced first aid (formerly First Aid Levels 1 to 3)
- Courses anywhere in South Africa
- Hands-on practice with a practical assessment
- Group bookings for companies, places for individuals
The course
What is a first aid course, and what will your staff learn?
A first aid course teaches people to help an injured or ill person until a paramedic or doctor takes over, and certifies that they can do it.
In the workplace, that certificate matters. It is how you show that your first aiders are trained to the standard the law expects. On a Ralmed course, delegates learn by doing: they assess casualties, perform CPR on training mannequins and manage bleeding, burns and fractures.
The three South African levels build on each other. Basic first aid (formerly First Aid Level 1) covers the essentials, while Intermediate and Advanced first aid (formerly First Aid Levels 2 and 3) add depth for people who carry more responsibility on site.
Who it is for
Who needs first aid training?
Most people on a first aid course with us are there because their employer has a legal duty to train them, but anyone can learn.
Workplace first aiders
Staff appointed as first aiders under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and those who need to renew.
Safety officers and supervisors
People who lead a team on site and need the higher levels for the risks they manage.
Schools, clubs and coaches
Teachers, coaches and staff who look after children or players.
Individuals and families
Parents, carers and anyone who wants to know what to do before help arrives.
The levels
Which first aid course do you need?
First aid training in South Africa is now offered as three QCTO skills programmes: Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Emergency First Aid Responder. They replace the old First Aid Level 1, 2 and 3 courses and build on each other. Choose a course to see what it covers, or compare two side by side.
Basic Emergency First Aid Responder
QCTO skills programme SP-230801 · Formerly First Aid Level 1
R945 per learner, excl. VAT
The essential knowledge and practical skills to give immediate emergency first aid at work or in the community until professional medical help arrives.
What learners cover
- Principles of first aid, and the role and responsibilities of the first aider
- Legal and ethical principles: consent, confidentiality, negligence and abandonment
- Personal safety, scene safety and hazard identification
- Contents and use of a basic first aid kit
- Emergency scene management and primary assessment
- Unconsciousness and levels of consciousness (AVPU)
- CPR for adults, children and infants
- Using an automated external defibrillator (AED)
- Choking in adults, children and infants
- Recognising and managing shock
- Bleeding control and wound care
- Burns
- Fractures and soft-tissue injuries, with basic immobilisation
- Recognising and responding to heart attacks and strokes
- Heat- and cold-related emergencies
- Poisoning, bites and stings
- Communication, handover to emergency services and scene clean-up
Intermediate Emergency First Aid Responder
QCTO skills programme SP-230802 · Formerly First Aid Level 2
R1 450 per learner, excl. VAT
Builds on Basic with the knowledge and practical skills to manage a wider range of medical, trauma and environmental emergencies.
What learners cover
Everything in Basic, plus:
- Anatomical positions and directional terms
- Relevant anatomy and physiology, including the gastrointestinal and genitourinary systems
- More detailed primary and secondary assessment
- Head and spinal injuries: recognition and immobilisation principles
- Chest injuries
- Abdominal injuries
- Pelvic injuries
- Catastrophic bleeding and using a tourniquet
- Drowning and near-drowning
- Diabetes: low and high blood sugar
- Anaphylaxis
- Seizures and epilepsy
- Poisoning routes: inhaled, ingested, injected and absorbed
- Exposure to communicable diseases, and basic infection control
- Multiple casualties: awareness and prioritisation
Advanced Emergency First Aid Responder
QCTO skills programme SP-230803 · Formerly First Aid Level 3
R1 750 per learner, excl. VAT
In-depth knowledge and advanced practical skills for complex, high-risk medical and trauma emergencies, so the learner can lead the response at work or in the community.
What learners cover
Everything in Basic and Intermediate, plus:
- Relevant aspects of the immune and lymphatic systems
- The first aider’s role in the chain of survival and the wider healthcare system
- Advanced scene management and triage of multiple casualties
- Comprehensive patient assessment and ongoing monitoring
- Oxygen therapy and the safe administration of oxygen
- Bag-valve-mask (BVM) and pocket mask use during resuscitation
- Vital signs, including blood pressure, blood glucose and pupil response
- Post-exposure prophylaxis awareness: tetanus and hepatitis B
- Scene clean-up with body-fluid spill kits
- Developing a basic emergency response plan
- Mental health for the first aider: stress, anxiety, PTSD and debriefing
- Leadership and coordination during an emergency
- Detailed documentation, COIDA-related reporting and handover
Compare two courses
Choose a course for each side to see them next to each other.
Basic Emergency First Aid Responder
SP-230801 · Formerly First Aid Level 1
- NQF level
- 2
- Credits
- 2
- Typical duration
- 2–3 days
- Price
- R945 per learner, excl. VAT
- Entry
- No previous first aid training needed
- Best for
- Every workplace first aider, and anyone new to first aid
What it covers:
- Principles of first aid, and the role and responsibilities of the first aider
- Legal and ethical principles: consent, confidentiality, negligence and abandonment
- Personal safety, scene safety and hazard identification
- Contents and use of a basic first aid kit
- Emergency scene management and primary assessment
- Unconsciousness and levels of consciousness (AVPU)
- CPR for adults, children and infants
- Using an automated external defibrillator (AED)
- Choking in adults, children and infants
- Recognising and managing shock
- Bleeding control and wound care
- Burns
- Fractures and soft-tissue injuries, with basic immobilisation
- Recognising and responding to heart attacks and strokes
- Heat- and cold-related emergencies
- Poisoning, bites and stings
- Communication, handover to emergency services and scene clean-up
Intermediate Emergency First Aid Responder
SP-230802 · Formerly First Aid Level 2
- NQF level
- 3
- Credits
- 5
- Typical duration
- 3–4 days
- Price
- R1 450 per learner, excl. VAT
- Entry
- Usually Basic (formerly First Aid Level 1), or equivalent RPL
- Best for
- First aiders in higher-risk workplaces, and those who have completed Basic
Everything in Basic, plus:
- Anatomical positions and directional terms
- Relevant anatomy and physiology, including the gastrointestinal and genitourinary systems
- More detailed primary and secondary assessment
- Head and spinal injuries: recognition and immobilisation principles
- Chest injuries
- Abdominal injuries
- Pelvic injuries
- Catastrophic bleeding and using a tourniquet
- Drowning and near-drowning
- Diabetes: low and high blood sugar
- Anaphylaxis
- Seizures and epilepsy
- Poisoning routes: inhaled, ingested, injected and absorbed
- Exposure to communicable diseases, and basic infection control
- Multiple casualties: awareness and prioritisation
Advanced Emergency First Aid Responder
SP-230803 · Formerly First Aid Level 3
- NQF level
- 4
- Credits
- 6
- Typical duration
- 4–5 days
- Price
- R1 750 per learner, excl. VAT
- Entry
- Usually Intermediate (formerly First Aid Level 2), or equivalent RPL
- Best for
- Senior first aiders, safety officers and people responsible for others on site
Everything in Basic and Intermediate, plus:
- Relevant aspects of the immune and lymphatic systems
- The first aider’s role in the chain of survival and the wider healthcare system
- Advanced scene management and triage of multiple casualties
- Comprehensive patient assessment and ongoing monitoring
- Oxygen therapy and the safe administration of oxygen
- Bag-valve-mask (BVM) and pocket mask use during resuscitation
- Vital signs, including blood pressure, blood glucose and pupil response
- Post-exposure prophylaxis awareness: tetanus and hepatitis B
- Scene clean-up with body-fluid spill kits
- Developing a basic emergency response plan
- Mental health for the first aider: stress, anxiety, PTSD and debriefing
- Leadership and coordination during an emergency
- Detailed documentation, COIDA-related reporting and handover
Basic Emergency First Aid Responder
SP-230801 · Formerly First Aid Level 1
- NQF level
- 2
- Credits
- 2
- Typical duration
- 2–3 days
- Price
- R945 per learner, excl. VAT
- Entry
- No previous first aid training needed
- Best for
- Every workplace first aider, and anyone new to first aid
What it covers:
- Principles of first aid, and the role and responsibilities of the first aider
- Legal and ethical principles: consent, confidentiality, negligence and abandonment
- Personal safety, scene safety and hazard identification
- Contents and use of a basic first aid kit
- Emergency scene management and primary assessment
- Unconsciousness and levels of consciousness (AVPU)
- CPR for adults, children and infants
- Using an automated external defibrillator (AED)
- Choking in adults, children and infants
- Recognising and managing shock
- Bleeding control and wound care
- Burns
- Fractures and soft-tissue injuries, with basic immobilisation
- Recognising and responding to heart attacks and strokes
- Heat- and cold-related emergencies
- Poisoning, bites and stings
- Communication, handover to emergency services and scene clean-up
Intermediate Emergency First Aid Responder
SP-230802 · Formerly First Aid Level 2
- NQF level
- 3
- Credits
- 5
- Typical duration
- 3–4 days
- Price
- R1 450 per learner, excl. VAT
- Entry
- Usually Basic (formerly First Aid Level 1), or equivalent RPL
- Best for
- First aiders in higher-risk workplaces, and those who have completed Basic
Everything in Basic, plus:
- Anatomical positions and directional terms
- Relevant anatomy and physiology, including the gastrointestinal and genitourinary systems
- More detailed primary and secondary assessment
- Head and spinal injuries: recognition and immobilisation principles
- Chest injuries
- Abdominal injuries
- Pelvic injuries
- Catastrophic bleeding and using a tourniquet
- Drowning and near-drowning
- Diabetes: low and high blood sugar
- Anaphylaxis
- Seizures and epilepsy
- Poisoning routes: inhaled, ingested, injected and absorbed
- Exposure to communicable diseases, and basic infection control
- Multiple casualties: awareness and prioritisation
Advanced Emergency First Aid Responder
SP-230803 · Formerly First Aid Level 3
- NQF level
- 4
- Credits
- 6
- Typical duration
- 4–5 days
- Price
- R1 750 per learner, excl. VAT
- Entry
- Usually Intermediate (formerly First Aid Level 2), or equivalent RPL
- Best for
- Senior first aiders, safety officers and people responsible for others on site
Everything in Basic and Intermediate, plus:
- Relevant aspects of the immune and lymphatic systems
- The first aider’s role in the chain of survival and the wider healthcare system
- Advanced scene management and triage of multiple casualties
- Comprehensive patient assessment and ongoing monitoring
- Oxygen therapy and the safe administration of oxygen
- Bag-valve-mask (BVM) and pocket mask use during resuscitation
- Vital signs, including blood pressure, blood glucose and pupil response
- Post-exposure prophylaxis awareness: tetanus and hepatitis B
- Scene clean-up with body-fluid spill kits
- Developing a basic emergency response plan
- Mental health for the first aider: stress, anxiety, PTSD and debriefing
- Leadership and coordination during an emergency
- Detailed documentation, COIDA-related reporting and handover
Good to know
- Ralmed is accredited by the HWSETA, the QCTO and the Department of Employment and Labour.
- All three courses are designed to meet workplace first aid requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
- Certificates are typically valid for three years. Book a refresher at the same level before the certificate expires.
- Content follows current resuscitation guidelines from ILCOR and the Resuscitation Council of Southern Africa.
- Each course builds on the one before, so Intermediate and Advanced usually need the previous course or equivalent RPL.
First aid refresher courses
A refresher course renews your first aid certificate, so your first aiders stay certified without repeating the full course.
- Your current certificate must still be valid. Book the refresher before it expires. Once a certificate has expired, the full course is needed again.
- You refresh at the same level as your certificate. A Basic (formerly First Aid Level 1) certificate is refreshed at Basic, and the same applies to Intermediate and Advanced.
- About half the length of the full course. Roughly 1 to 1.5 days for Basic, 1.5 to 2 days for Intermediate and 2 to 2.5 days for Advanced.
How it works
How does a Ralmed first aid course work, step by step?
01
Tell us who needs training
Give us the number of people, their roles and where they work, and we will recommend the level.
02
Agree the date and venue
We train at your premises anywhere in South Africa, or in our Sandton training room.
03
Learn by doing
Delegates practise every skill on mannequins and in realistic scenarios, not just in a classroom.
04
Assessment and certificate
Delegates who meet the standard receive a certificate under our HWSETA, QCTO and Department of Employment and Labour accreditations.
Need first aiders trained? Get a date and a quote for your team.
Why train your first aiders with Ralmed?
Accredited training. Ralmed is accredited by the HWSETA, the QCTO and the Department of Employment and Labour, and our courses are QCTO skills programmes SP-230801 to SP-230803, so the certificates stand up in your compliance file.
Taught by emergency care people. Ralmed runs an ambulance service, so our training comes from the work our crews do every day.
Anywhere in South Africa. We bring the course to your site, so your people train where they work, with the hazards they actually face.
Practice, not slides. Delegates spend most of the course practising, and every skill is assessed hands-on.
Cost
How much does a first aid course cost?
Our first aid course prices are per learner and exclude VAT. The same price applies whether we train at your premises or in our Sandton training room.
Prices are per learner and exclude VAT. Certification and course materials are included. The same price applies at your premises or at our Sandton training room. Travel costs may apply in some areas. Group discounts are available for companies.
Your total depends on:
- The course: Basic, Intermediate or Advanced first aid (formerly First Aid Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3)
- The number of learners
- Travel costs, which may apply in some areas
We offer group discounts for companies training several learners. For a quote, tell us the course, the number of learners and the town where they work.
Your options
How does an accredited first aid course compare with online training?
Online courses are easy to find. Here is how they compare with an accredited, in-person first aid course, so you can choose what suits your people.
| Option | How it is taught | Suits | Things to weigh up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accredited in-person course | Hands-on practice with an assessor, on mannequins and scenarios | Workplace first aiders and anyone who wants practical confidence | Takes staff away from work for the course days |
| Online first aid course | Videos and quizzes, without practical assessment | General awareness and refreshing theory | No one checks the practical skills, so it may not meet a workplace requirement |
| Informal in-house training | A colleague shares what they know | Basic awareness between formal courses | No certificate, and quality depends entirely on the person teaching |
Get started
How do you book a first aid course with Ralmed?
Call or send a message with the level, the number of people and where they work. We will suggest dates for the first aid course and send a quote.
Training room
89 Impala Road, Kelvin View, Sandton
Or we come to your premises.
Get a quote for first aid training
Tell us a little about your group and we will send you dates and a quote. It takes about a minute.
Where do we run courses?
Our first aid training runs anywhere in South Africa. We come to your site in any province, or your delegates can join a course in our Sandton training room.
See all our accredited medical training, including occupational health and safety courses and training for healthcare providers.
Questions
Questions about first aid courses
How do I book a first aid course?
Call 0861 725 633 to book a first aid course, or email info@ralmed.com. Tell us the level, the number of people and where they work. We will recommend dates, confirm whether we train at your premises or in Sandton, and send a quote for the group.
Which first aid level does my workplace need?
Most workplace first aiders start with Basic (formerly First Aid Level 1). Workplaces with higher risks, such as heavy machinery, chemicals or remote sites, often need some staff at Intermediate or Advanced first aid (formerly First Aid Level 2 or Level 3). Your risk assessment decides it, and we are happy to talk it through with your safety officer before you book.
How many first aiders does the law require?
Under the General Safety Regulations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, a workplace with more than ten employees needs a trained first aider for every group of up to fifty employees. Higher-risk workplaces often train more. Your safety officer can confirm what applies to your site.
Who accredits Ralmed's first aid courses?
Ralmed holds three accreditations: the Health and Welfare SETA (HWSETA), accreditation no. HW592PAA000200; the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), whose skills programmes SP-230801 to SP-230803 we deliver; and the Department of Employment and Labour, first aid training provider no. CI-179/3/12/1. Delegates who pass the assessment receive a certificate under these accreditations. Copies of our accreditation are on our documents page.
How long is a first aid certificate valid?
A workplace first aid certificate is generally valid for three years. To stay certified, your first aiders can do a refresher course at the same level, about half the length of the full course, as long as their certificate has not expired. Keep a record of the dates, and we can plan refresher training for your team before the certificates run out.
Can you train our staff at our premises?
Yes. We run courses at your premises anywhere in South Africa, which saves your staff travelling and lets them train around the hazards they face at work. If you prefer, your delegates can join a course in our Sandton training room instead.
Is there a practical assessment?
Yes. First aid is a practical skill, so delegates are assessed doing it, not only on paper. They show the assessor that they can perform CPR, manage bleeding and deal with the other situations the level covers. Those who meet the standard receive their certificate.
Do delegates need experience before Basic first aid (formerly First Aid Level 1)?
No. Basic first aid is the starting point, and no previous first aid knowledge is needed. Intermediate and Advanced build on it, so delegates usually complete the level below first. If someone holds an older certificate, tell us and we will advise which course they should take.
Can individuals book, or only companies?
Both. Most of our courses are booked by companies for a group of staff, but individuals can train with us too. Call 0861 725 633 to ask about the next course with space, or to arrange training for a small group such as a family or a sports club.
Does the course cover CPR and defibrillators?
Yes. Every level includes CPR, and delegates practise it on training mannequins until they can do it properly. Using a defibrillator, also called an AED, is taught as part of basic life support, because many workplaces and public places now have one.
Related training
More training and services for your workplace
Pair first aid with our occupational health and safety training, or put medical cover on site with an on-site clinic or a remote ambulance station. Our teams work together, from the first aid box to the ambulance.
Book an accredited first aid course
Tell us how many people need training, the level and where they work, and we will send dates and a quote. Courses run anywhere in South Africa. Call 0861 725 633 or send a WhatsApp to book your team onto a first aid course.