5-Day Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Course at PLAB Guide Training Centre

Develop the knowledge, practical skills and confidence required to provide first-response emergency care in pre-hospital environments.

The Qualsafe Level 3 Award in First Response Emergency Care (RQF), commonly known as FREC 3, is a nationally regulated qualification designed for people who may be required to provide emergency care before the arrival of, or alongside, more advanced clinical support.

PLAB Guide Training Centre is approved to deliver this Qualsafe qualification in Manchester, providing an intensive five-day, face-to-face programme combining theoretical learning, practical skills and realistic emergency scenarios.

The current qualification carries 35 Guided Learning Hours, with a Total Qualification Time of 53 hours. Assessment includes multiple theory papers plus practical assessments and skills tests. (PHCAW)

Who Is FREC 3 For?

FREC 3 is suitable for people who work, or are looking to work, in roles where they may be expected to provide emergency care in a pre-hospital environment.

This may include:

• Event medical staff

• Community and emergency first responders

• Ambulance support staff

• Security personnel

• Close protection operatives

• Door supervisors with enhanced medical responsibilities

• Police and fire service personnel

• Search and rescue teams

• Outdoor and expedition staff

• Motorsport and sporting-event medical teams

• Military personnel

• Employees working in high-risk industries

• Healthcare professionals wanting stronger pre-hospital emergency-care skills

• Individuals considering progression within pre-hospital care

It can also be an excellent next step for learners who already hold conventional workplace first-aid qualifications and want to develop a substantially broader emergency-care skill set.

What Is FREC 3?

FREC 3 goes significantly beyond standard workplace first aid.

The qualification develops the learner's ability to assess and manage patients experiencing serious illness or injury before hospital arrival.

Candidates learn to approach emergencies systematically, identify immediate threats to life, provide appropriate interventions and monitor the patient while arranging further clinical assistance.

It forms part of Qualsafe's progressive pathway of pre-hospital care qualifications and is widely used by those developing careers in emergency response and event medicine.

What You Will Learn

The course develops knowledge and practical competence in areas such as:

• Scene safety and incident assessment

• Patient assessment

• Primary survey

• Secondary assessment

• Airway management

• Basic and intermediate airway techniques

• Oxygen administration

• Ventilation support

• Adult, child and infant CPR

• Automated external defibrillation

• Recognition and management of cardiac arrest

• Medical emergencies

• Trauma management

• Catastrophic bleeding

• Shock

• Head and spinal injuries

• Chest injuries

• Musculoskeletal injuries

• Burns

• Environmental emergencies

• Patient monitoring

• Vital-sign assessment

• Communication and handover

• Clinical decision-making

• Appropriate escalation of care

Scene Assessment and Patient Safety

Candidates learn how to approach an emergency without creating additional risk.

Training includes:

• Dynamic risk assessment

• Scene safety

• Mechanism of injury

• Number of casualties

• Calling for appropriate resources

• Use of personal protective equipment

• Prioritising immediate threats

The aim is to develop an organised approach before patient treatment begins.

Patient Assessment

Learners develop a structured method of assessing both medical and trauma patients.

This includes:

• Primary survey

• Identification of life-threatening problems

• Immediate interventions

• Reassessment

• Patient history

• Secondary assessment

• Vital signs

• Ongoing monitoring

Candidates learn to recognise deterioration and communicate their findings effectively to other healthcare professionals.

Airway Management

Airway management forms an important part of FREC 3.

Candidates may practise:

• Airway positioning

• Basic airway manoeuvres

• Suction principles

• Oropharyngeal airway use

• Nasopharyngeal airway considerations

• Bag-mask ventilation

• Oxygen administration

• Recognition of airway compromise

The emphasis is on maintaining oxygenation and ventilation within the responder's permitted scope of practice.

CPR and Defibrillation

Candidates practise resuscitation skills across different age groups, including:

• Adult CPR

• Child CPR

• Infant CPR

• AED operation

• Effective ventilation

• Team-based resuscitation

• Minimising interruptions to chest compressions

• Recognition of cardiac arrest

• Safe emergency response

Medical Emergencies

The programme prepares learners to recognise and manage a wide range of acute medical presentations.

Topics may include:

• Chest pain

• Suspected acute coronary syndrome

• Stroke

• Seizures

• Asthma

• Anaphylaxis

• Diabetes-related emergencies

• Reduced consciousness

• Breathing difficulties

• Poisoning

• Other time-critical medical conditions

The focus is on early recognition, appropriate first-response treatment and escalation.

Trauma Management

FREC 3 provides substantially more trauma training than standard first-aid qualifications.

Learners develop a structured approach to:

• Major trauma

• Catastrophic haemorrhage

• Head injury

• Spinal injury

• Chest trauma

• Limb injuries

• Fractures

• Wounds

• Burns

• Shock

Candidates are taught to identify priorities and manage immediate threats before moving to more detailed assessment.

Catastrophic Bleeding

Learners develop an understanding of severe haemorrhage and how rapidly it can become life-threatening.

Training may include:

• Recognition of catastrophic bleeding

• Direct pressure

• Appropriate wound management

• Haemorrhage-control equipment

• Recognition of shock

• Ongoing reassessment

• Rapid escalation

Oxygen and Ventilation

Candidates learn the principles of providing emergency oxygen and supporting ventilation within the scope of the qualification.

Training includes:

• Appropriate oxygen equipment

• Oxygen-delivery devices

• Safe cylinder handling

• Recognition of inadequate breathing

• Bag-mask ventilation

• Monitoring response to treatment

Patient Monitoring

FREC 3 develops a broader approach to monitoring than conventional first-aid courses.

Candidates may practise assessment of:

• Respiratory rate

• Pulse

• Level of consciousness

• Skin signs

• Oxygen saturation where appropriate

• Blood pressure

• Other clinical observations relevant to the situation

The course emphasises trends and reassessment rather than relying on a single observation.

Communication and Handover

Effective communication is essential in pre-hospital care.

Candidates learn how to:

• Communicate calmly with patients

• Obtain relevant history

• Reassure casualties

• Work with other responders

• Request additional resources

• Provide structured clinical handover

• Document relevant findings and treatment

Realistic Scenario-Based Training

FREC 3 is a highly practical qualification.

Candidates should expect to participate in realistic scenarios involving:

• Medical emergencies

• Trauma

• Cardiac arrest

• Deteriorating patients

• Multiple competing priorities

• Patient assessment

• Team communication

• Ongoing reassessment

The purpose of scenario-based training is to help learners apply knowledge under realistic pressure rather than simply memorising facts.

Course Duration

The qualification requires 35 Guided Learning Hours and is commonly delivered as a five-day face-to-face programme. Qualsafe's specification gives a Total Qualification Time of 53 hours. (PHCAW)

Candidates must attend the full programme and complete all required learning and assessments.

Assessment

FREC 3 is formally assessed.

The current Qualsafe qualification specification includes:

• 3 multiple-choice theory assessments

• 1 invigilated examination

• 6 practical assessments and skills tests

Candidates must successfully meet the required standards to achieve the qualification. (PHCAW)

Booking and attendance do not automatically guarantee successful completion.

Certification

Successful learners receive the:

Qualsafe Level 3 Award in First Response Emergency Care (RQF)

Qualification number: 603/6987/5. (Qualsafe Awards)

The qualification certificate is valid for three years. Qualsafe certification also recommends annual BLS refresher training during the certification period, with requalification required before expiry. (Qualsafe Awards)

Progression

FREC 3 can provide a foundation for further development within pre-hospital emergency care.

Depending on the learner's career plans and eligibility, this may include progression into higher-level pre-hospital care qualifications, emergency medical roles, event medicine or related healthcare training.

The qualification itself does not guarantee employment or entitlement to practise beyond an individual's role, competence and organisational governance arrangements.

Why Complete FREC 3?

FREC 3 may be particularly valuable for people who want to:

• Progress beyond standard first aid

• Develop practical pre-hospital emergency-care skills

• Work within event medical services

• Develop toward ambulance or emergency-response work

• Improve trauma-management skills

• Gain greater confidence managing seriously ill patients

• Develop a nationally regulated Level 3 qualification

• Build a foundation for further pre-hospital care training

Why Train With PLAB Guide Training Centre?

PLAB Guide Training Centre is a Qualsafe Approved Centre in Manchester, delivering regulated clinical, emergency-care and first-aid qualifications.

FREC 3 candidates benefit from:

• Qualsafe-regulated training

• Experienced emergency-care instructors

• Extensive practical skills teaching

• Realistic patient scenarios

• Resuscitation training equipment

• Trauma-management practice

• Small-group learning

• Structured instructor feedback

• A professional training environment

• Convenient Manchester location

• Limited free on-site parking, plus free on-street parking nearby (first come, first served)

• Access by road and public transport

Our focus is on helping learners develop a systematic approach to emergency care rather than simply teaching them how to pass the assessments.

Important Course Requirements

Candidates should be prepared for an intensive practical programme.

Learners will be expected to:

• Attend all five days

• Participate fully in practical exercises

• Perform CPR and other floor-level activities

• Complete all required assessments

• Demonstrate safe professional behaviour

• Meet any current Qualsafe entry requirements

• Provide accurate information for qualification registration

Candidates should inform us before the course if they require reasonable adjustments.

Book FREC 3 in Manchester

Take the next step beyond conventional first aid with the Qualsafe Level 3 Award in First Response Emergency Care (RQF).

Book your FREC 3 course at PLAB Guide Training Centre in Manchester and develop the practical knowledge and skills required to respond to a broad range of pre-hospital medical and trauma emergencies.

Qualification: Qualsafe Level 3 Award in First Response Emergency Care (RQF)
Common name: FREC 3
Qualification number: 603/6987/5
Course duration: 5 days / 35 Guided Learning Hours
Certificate validity: 3 years
Delivery: Face-to-face practical training and assessment
Location: PLAB Guide Training Centre, Manchester (PHCAW)