Over 10,000 people die each year from cardiovascular disease in Ireland, with approximately half of those deaths estimated to be caused by sudden cardiac arrest. The vast majority of cardiac arrests happen out of hospital and usually in close proximity to a friend or family member.

Our Cardiac First Response (CFR) course is designed to teach you the essential skills needed to respond to someone who has collapsed or is in cardiac arrest. A cardiac first responder plays a vital role in keeping a person alive until they can receive expert clinical care.

This comprehensive, practically-based course was developed by the Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) as a national standard to ensure that those who suffer cardiac arrest in the community are given the best possible chance of survival. The course is suited to those who may be required to respond to a sudden cardiac arrest, heart attack, choking, stroke or unconsciousness in the workplace, at a sports facility, in the home or in their community.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for a wide range of individuals and groups:

• Community Responder Groups – those volunteering in community first response schemes

• Workplaces – employees who want to be prepared for medical emergencies

• Sports Clubs – coaches, trainers, and volunteers

• Parents, Teachers, and Childminders – anyone responsible for children

• General Public – anyone who wants to learn life-saving skills

• Hospitality & Tourism Sectors – hotel staff, tour guides, and event personnel

• Employees in premises with an AED – those working in buildings where an Automated External Defibrillator has been installed

Prerequisites: None required – the course is accessible to all.

Course Content

Our CFR training covers all essential skills and knowledge areas aligned with PHECC standards:

Core Life Support Skills

• The Chain of Survival and its application in emergency care

• Recognising the signs of a life-threatening emergency

• How to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for adults, children, and infants

• The safe use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

Emergency Response Scenarios

• How to recognise and treat choking in adults, children, and infants

• Recognition and treatment of heart attack (includes administration of aspirin)

• Recognition and treatment of stroke (FAST assessment)

• How to place a person in the recovery position

• Critical Incident Stress Management

• Infection prevention and control

• Handover and documentation procedures

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Recognise the signs of a life-threatening emergency

• Respond in an effective, safe and appropriate manner to a life-threatening emergency, utilising basic life support skills

• Retrieve and appropriately use, if required, an automated external defibrillator during a cardiac arrest

• Report and record their actions and interventions appropriately and handover to emergency medical services

Assessment and Certification

Participants are assessed through:

• Continuous observation – practical skills are assessed throughout the course by the trainer

• Theory assessment – multiple-choice knowledge test (minimum 80% pass mark required)

Successful candidates will receive a joint PHECC/recognised institution Cardiac First Response certificate. This certification is valid for 2 years.

PHECC Cardiac First Response courses are recognised by the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) for continuing professional development and continuing education units.

Course Duration and Delivery

• Duration: Half day (approximately 4 hours)

• Delivery: Classroom-based with practical, hands-on skills sessions

• Class size: Maximum 6-8 participants to ensure individual attention

What’s Included

Each participant will receive the following items:

• Cardiac First Response handbook/manual

• Pocket face mask

• Key-ring face shield (where applicable)

• Request Emergency Dispatch (RED) Card

• PHECC certificate and wallet-sized certification card

Why Train with Safety Response Training?

• PHECC-approved training – meeting the highest national standards

• Expert instructors with real-world emergency response experience

• Hands-on practical focus – small classes focused primarily on practical skills to maximise learning experience

• Small class sizes for personalised instruction and feedback

• Nationwide coverage – we can deliver training at your premises for group bookings

• Recognised certification – valid for 2 years and accepted across Ireland