News & Updates

STA is pleased to announce the launch of the updated STA First Aid Resource Manuals and supporting resources for the following qualifications:

• STA Award in Emergency First Aid at Work
• STA Award in First Aid at Work
• STA Award in Emergency Paediatric First Aid
• STA Award in Paediatric First Aid
• STA Award in Basic Life Support and Safe Use of an Automated External Defibrillator
• STA Award in Basic Life Support and Management of Anaphylaxis

The resource manuals have been updated into a high-quality printed manuals featuring a vibrant new design and easy-to-follow chapter layout. Following this change, STA are really pleased to now be able to offer all STA first aid resource manuals as electronic e-manuals. The updated manuals are available now within the STA Swim Shop in e-manual or hard copy format.

Although the new resource manuals are available from the swim shop, ATCs can use their current stock of the current manuals. However, from 31st December 2022 all ATCs must use the new resource manuals.

Qualification Changes:

Following a recent review and update by The First Aid Awarding Organisation Forum (FAAOF) to the first aid qualification units (including paediatric units), there have been changes to some assessment criteria and indicative content. There have been no changes to technical content. The below table summarises the changes and the full updated units can be found in the qualification specifications which can be download from STA Online.

Please note: As a result of the unit changes, and the emphasis that first aid is a practical qualification, STA have reduced the number of multiple-choice questions for unit 2 in STA Award in First Aid at Work and STA Award in Paediatric First Aid.

The tutor assessed skills sheets have also been condensed where possible and a holistic assessment for practical assessment is now permitted which allows tutors to assess and evaluate a learner’s communication skills, hazard awareness, problem solving / using initiative as well as practical first aid skills. This assessment can also be used to assess elements of the first aid assessment criteria. If a learner competently demonstrates the recognition and treatment of a first aid injury or condition within this simulated incident, the tutor can mark this on the tutor assessed skills sheet. Please see updated qualification assessment strategies for full assessment details.

These changes will come into effect for any course starting on or after Monday 26th September 2022. New MCQ’s will be sent out, and the updated tutor assessed skills sheet and assessment strategies must also be used for any courses starting on or after this date.

The supporting qualification resources have also been updated and rebranded to reflect the resource manual design, changes to qualification units, and refer to the new page numbers where applicable. The updated resources are available to download from STA Online now.

The updated resources include:

• Assessment Strategies
• PowerPoint Presentations
• Tutor Assessed Skills Sheets
• Suggested Timetables
• Qualification Specifications.

Please be aware, if ATCs use the new supporting resources from STA Online prior to 26th September 2022, pass marks and manual pages refer the new resource manuals and MCQ assessment, so learners will need to be made aware of current pass marks and manual pages if current manuals are being used. From 26th September, the new MCQ’s will come into effect, so pass marks will correlate for all courses starting on or after this date. From 31st December, when the new resource manuals must be used, references to manual pages will also correlate. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.