The RFU recognises 4 levels of first aider. This is important to know because the RFU also give guidance on recommended minimum levels of cover for matches and training . This varies depending on age and grade of rugby, and will be the subject of my next post. It is well known that the incidence of injury increases with age and level of competition.
1. Emergency / Sports First Aider
- NQF level 2 First Aid
- (minimum of 6 hours training)
- A level 2 rugby specific Emergency First Aid in Rugby Union (EFARU) course is run by the RFU.
- Cambridgshire RFU will soon be offering an Emergency First Aid at Work course, with a focus on rugby.
2. Club / School First Aider
• NQF Level 3 First Aid
• (equivalent to 3 day First Aid at Work Course)
3. First Aid Therapist / Health Care Professional (HCP)
• NQF Level 3 First Aid with pre-existing therapist / HCP skills.
4. Immediate Care Practitioner
• A Health Care professional with immediate care training.
• The RFU run a Pre-Hospital Immediate Care in Sport course. I highly recommend this.
• Level 2 is for 1 day. This sufficient to cover teams up to and including the national leagues.
• Level 3 is for 2 days and is required to work in the Championship or above.