Learners practising CPR and AED skills together with a trainer.

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AED and CPR

Certificate course

AED and CPR

Practical CPR and defibrillator skills for any setting.

Duration: Half day3 contact hours
Onsite: £345per group, up to 12

Train your team onsite.

Practical training at your workplace.

£345per group

Up to 12 learners

Course details

Everything you need to know about this course.

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for anyone who wants to develop the confidence and practical skills to help someone who has collapsed and stopped breathing normally, whether they’re an adult, a child or a baby.

It is ideal for workplaces, community groups, schools, sports clubs, volunteers, reception staff, security personnel, customer-facing teams and members of the public. It is particularly valuable for organisations with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on site who want staff to feel confident using it in an emergency.

No previous first aid experience is required.

What you’ll learn

This short, practical course focuses on the first few minutes after someone collapses, when quick action makes the biggest difference. You’ll learn how to check it’s safe, recognise when someone isn’t breathing normally, get help on the way and start CPR straight away, and you’ll see how a defibrillator (AED) talks you through each step, so you feel ready to use one.

Most of the session is hands-on. You’ll practise CPR and use a training AED on adult, child and baby manikins, so the steps start to feel natural whoever needs your help. You’ll also learn how to put someone in the recovery position if they’re unresponsive but breathing. If your workplace or community has an AED, you’ll leave feeling confident that you could use it.

The chain of survival
Making the scene safe and checking for a response
Recognising a cardiac arrest
Calling for emergency help and getting an AED
Adult CPR, including hands-only CPR
Child and baby CPR
Using an AED (defibrillator) safely, including on children and babies
The recovery position for adults, children and babies
Handing over to the emergency services

Every topic on this course, free

Open the AED and CPR guide →

Ongoing trainer assessment is used throughout the course to provide support, monitor your progress and ensure you develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to achieve the learning outcomes.

Practical learning

You'll take part in practical activities and realistic scenarios to apply what you've learned.

Trainer assessment

Your trainer will observe your performance throughout the course, giving feedback and support to help you build confidence and competence.

Achieve the learning outcomes

By the end of the course, you'll be assessed as competent in the key skills and knowledge covered.

Practical, real-world skills

Gain the confidence and skills to respond in real-life situations.

Northlight certificate

Successful learners receive a Northlight certificate.

Successful learners receive the Northlight AED & CPR Certificate, valid for three years.

This course develops practical life-saving skills and confidence. If your organisation needs workplace first aiders, we also offer Emergency First Aid at Work and First Aid at Work.

We have a defibrillator at work. Is this the right course?

Yes, this is exactly what the course is for. You’ll practise with a training AED, so your team knows what to expect and feels confident using the real one in an emergency.

Could I hurt someone by using a defibrillator?

An AED is designed to be used by people with no medical training. It checks the person’s heart rhythm, only advises a shock if one is needed, and talks you through each step. The course will help you feel confident following it.

Does it cover children and babies?

Yes. As well as adult CPR, you’ll practise CPR and using an AED on child and baby manikins, and learn the recovery position for all ages.

Does it cover wider first aid, such as bleeding or choking?

No. The course focuses on CPR, defibrillation and the recovery position, which keeps it short and very hands-on. If you need workplace first aiders, Emergency First Aid at Work or First Aid at Work covers a much wider range of first aid.

Will I need to get down on the floor?

CPR and some other skills are practised on manikins at floor level, so wear comfortable clothing you can kneel and move in. If you have a mobility, medical or other need that might make this difficult, please let us know as early as possible before the course and we’ll consider what adjustments we can make.

What do we need to provide?

This course is delivered at your premises for up to 12 learners per session. You’ll need a room with enough clear floor space for CPR practice, and your trainer brings all the training equipment. If your team is larger, we can arrange additional sessions.

When will we receive certificates?

Certificates are usually issued within 72 hours of the course. Each learner receives theirs by email, and you can access the whole group’s certificates any time through My Northlight.

Who is this course for?

No previous first aid experience is required.

What you’ll learn

FREE WITH THIS COURSE

Read the AED and CPR guide

All 8 topics on the course, written and reviewed by our trainers. Use it to prepare, and keep coming back to it after your certificate.

Adult CPR

Using an AED

Unresponsive but Breathing

Recovery Position

Drowning

After an Incident

Open the AED and CPR guide

Free on Northlight Knowledge. No sign-up.

CHOOSING A COURSE

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Helpful guidance

Read all guidance →

Defibrillator in a green wall cabinet beside a doorway in a small business reception

Training Advice

Do you need a defibrillator at work?

Whether your Northern Ireland workplace needs a defibrillator, who can use one, which type to choose, how to register it and what it costs.

Training Advice

Do you need a defibrillator at work?

Workplace defibrillator guardian checking the status light on a defibrillator in its wall cabinet

Training Advice

How do you look after a workplace defibrillator?

The weekly look, three-monthly check on The Circuit, pads, batteries and after-use steps that keep a workplace defibrillator ready for a 999 call.

Training Advice

How do you look after a workplace defibrillator?

Train your team onsite.

Practical training at your workplace.

£345per group

Up to 12 learners

Book with confidence

Northlight certificate
Every learner who completes the course gets a Northlight certificate.
Certificates usually within 72 hours
Sent to each learner by email and kept in My Northlight, with a reminder before renewal is due.
Plans change
Swap in a colleague free, up to the day before. To move a date or cancel, ask in My Northlight and you'll see any charge before you send.
If we have to cancel
It's rare, but if we ever cancel a course you can move to another date free or have a full refund.
Small groups, qualified trainers
Never more than 12 learners. Every Northlight trainer holds a recognised teaching qualification, backed by 15 years of delivering training.