SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Provide first aid as an advanced first responder 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
376480  Provide first aid as an advanced first responder 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Occupational Health & Safety (Medical) 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services Preventive Health 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  8 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
254220  Provide primary emergency care/first aid as an advanced first responder  Level 3  NQF Level 03  8   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
Purpose:

This unit standard is to enable the first responder to react to emergencies at an advanced first aid level, until the arrival of more professional emergency personnel.

Qualifying learners will be capable of:
  • Explaining the principles of advanced first aid in emergencies.
  • Demonstrating an advanced level of preparedness to deal with sudden illness or emergency.
  • Assessing and managing an emergency scene/disaster.
  • Describing the anatomy and explaining the physiology of the human body systems in terms of injury or sudden illness.
  • Applying primary first aid for all age groups according to accepted current first aid protocols.
  • Explaining and managing shock.

    NB: The certificate of competence associated with this Unit Standard will be valid for only three years to ensure the holder's continued competency through regular re-assessment. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication at NQF Level 2.
  • Mathematical literacy at NQF Level 2.
  • The Unit Standards:
    > ID 120496: Provide risk-based primary emergency care/first aid in the workplace.
    > ID: 260597: Provide information about HIV and AIDS and treatment options in community care and support situations.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    This unit standard can be achieved wholly, or in part, through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). The learner seeking RPL must meet the requirements agreed to between the provider and the relevant ETQA or ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA. Evidence may be presented in a variety of forms, including previous international or local qualifications, portfolios including reports, testimonials, evidence of mentoring, work records and performance appraisals. The applicant will be assessed in terms of the specific outcomes and related assessment criteria. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the principles of advanced first aid in emergencies. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The aims of emergency care are identified and explained in terms of ethics and scope of practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Universal precautions taken during treatment of sick and injured are explained and demonstrated. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Universal precautions include but are not limited to:
  • Personal protective equipment; management of body fluid spills or excreta and uncontained hazardous materials.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The specific medico-legal implications in emergencies are described in terms of current relevant legislation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an advanced level of preparedness to deal with sudden illness or emergency. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The regulated first aid and identified additional equipment is described and demonstrated in accordance with the specific identified needs. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    First aid emergency equipment is stored and maintenance is described and demonstrated according to required specifications and accessibility for use. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Stored first aid emergency equipment is regularly checked and maintained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Assess and manage an emergency scene/disaster. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Potential disasters are identified in terms of their probability of occurrence in a specified area. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The principles and implementation methods of the situational disaster management plans are explained in terms of establishment, activation and maintenance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The potential health hazards that may result from an emergency scene/disaster are identified, assessed and required actions are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The method of triage and treatment is explained in accordance with the current, accepted protocols. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Mobilisation activities for emergency services, relevant to the place of occurrence and the specific needs are identified and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Secondary patient assessment and ongoing care is explained and demonstrated. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Describe the anatomy and explain the physiology of the human body systems in terms of injury and sudden illness. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Systems: Nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, muscular-skeletal, integumentary, digestive, genito-urinary and endocrine systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Anatomy of the various human body systems is described in accordance with accepted terminology. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The macro physiology of the various organs is explained in accordance with accepted terminology. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Disorders and/or diseases relevant to a specified area are identified and described according to signs and first aid management. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Disorders and/or diseases include but are not limited to:

    Head injuries, epileptic seizures, stroke, poisoning, cyanosis, chest pain which radiates or includes the lower jaw and/or arm, drowning, poisonous chemical inhalation, croup, asthma, sucking chest wound, flail chest, hyper/hypothermia, severe headaches, excessive diarrhoea, vomiting, any type of haemorrhage, fractures, amputations, dislocations, sprains, abdominal pain, bowel evisceration and emergency childbirth.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Apply primary first aid life support for adults, children and infants according to accepted current protocols. 
    OUTCOME NOTES 
    Appropriately sized manikins and other supporting equipment must be used for the purpose of this assessment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Primary survey is conducted; signs and symptoms are identified and recorded in terms of required protocols. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Methods of managing airway obstruction/choking are demonstrated. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Including but not limited to:
  • Head tilt-chin lift; finger sweep; Heimlich manoeuvre/chest thrust/abdominal thrust; cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and recovery position/lateral position.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    One/two rescuer CPR is explained and demonstrated with the use of barrier ventilation devices, utilizing appropriately sized manikins. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Devices include but are not limited to:
  • Mouthpiece, pocket mask and bag-valve-mask.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Recovery positions are demonstrated with and without a spinal board and spider harness in accordance with the safety and comfort of the patient. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The patient is transported according to the injury, disorder or condition of the patient/s and available means of transport. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Oxygen therapy is demonstrated and the dangers of open oxygen are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Pulse sites and pulse monitoring are explained and demonstrated in terms of monitoring of the condition of the patient. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Pulse sites:
  • Carotid, radial, brachial, pedal and popliteal.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Explain the causes of shock and the emergency treatment thereof. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Types of shock: Cardiogenic; hypovolaemic and anaphylactic. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The signs of shock are identified and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The emergency treatment of shock is described and demonstrated according to the symptoms presented. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a candidate against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or ETQA where a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) exists with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA or ETQA where a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) exists with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Current, applicable legislation.
  • Emergency materials, equipment and/or possible improvisation.
  • Ethics and scope of practice of a first responder.
  • Primary and secondary assessment.
  • Applied anatomy and physiology.
  • Safe oxygen administration.
  • Measurement of blood pressure and pulse.
  • Shock.
  • Haemorrhage.
  • Soft tissue injuries.
  • Eye injuries.
  • Ear injuries.
  • Burns.
  • Universal precautions regarding safe management of blood and body fluids.
  • Developmental adaptations applicable for sick and injured older persons, adults, children or infants.
  • Fractures.
  • Signs and symptoms of common infectious diseases.
  • Levels of consciousness.
  • Hand-over report. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identifying and solving problems is demonstrated in the decisions made regarding the treatment, steps taken to prevent complications and the referral systems utilised. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others is demonstrated in the effective performance as a member of a first response team. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing self and own activities responsibly is demonstrated in the management of an injured or ill patient. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Assessing, analysing and critically evaluating information is demonstrated in the decisions made regarding the required management of the patient's condition and the report that is generated. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicating effectively is demonstrated in the management of the sick or injured person, participating in a team and when reporting effectively to emergency health personnel. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Using science and technology effectively and critically is demonstrated when utilising available emergency and communication equipment responsibly with regard to the patient, the health of others and the environment. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 254220, "Provide primary emergency care/first aid as an advanced first responder", Level 3, 8 credits. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  78803   National Certificate: Primary Response in Emergencies  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered"     		 2013-06-02   
    Elective  74269   National Certificate: Occupational Health, Safety and Environment  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-07-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    Elective  50285   National Certificate: Professional Driving  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  TETA 
    Elective  79986   Further Education and Training Certificate: Dance Instruction  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CATHSSETA 
    Elective  58696   National Certificate: Close Protection  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 
    Elective  90655   National Certificate: Small Scale Mining  Not Applicable  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MQA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. 911 Consulting and Services 
    2. AAH Skills and Development 
    3. ACT SKILLS DEVELOPMENT 
    4. Africa Training Centre 
    5. Akane Training Academy 
    6. Amandlolwazi Training Centre Pty Ltd 
    7. Andebe Training and Skills Development 
    8. Andzanie Trading Enterprise (Pty) Ltd 
    9. Bee-Safe Programme Development and Training (Pty) Ltd 
    10. Beshumo Pty Ltd 
    11. Best Hope Academy & Consultancy 
    12. BJS FORKLIFTS TRAINING 
    13. Blue Crane Skills Development 
    14. Bumbene Safety Consultants (Pty) Ltd 
    15. Centre for Logistics Excellence (Pty) Ltd 
    16. ChamCham Corporation (PTY) Ltd 
    17. CHAMDOR DRIVER TRAINING CC 
    18. Continuous Development Training 
    19. Devolden Group 
    20. Diversity technology Training Institute 
    21. DMG Global Training Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    22. Dynamic Institute of Training S.A 
    23. Elizma Goltz 
    24. EMCARE (PTY) LTD 
    25. Emergency Services Training College 
    26. EPSA 
    27. ESS Holdings (PTY) Ltd 
    28. Evaflex 
    29. FIRMSTONE CONSULTING AND SECURITY ACADEMY 
    30. GREENRIM TRAINING PTY LTD 
    31. H and H Risk Solutions 
    32. He and She Driver Training Centre 
    33. Hope Medical and Rescue Services 
    34. Humrec Human Resource Training 
    35. Ikusasa Lethu Projects and Training (Pty) Ltd 
    36. Indico Educational Centre 
    37. Industrial Fire and Emergency Services cc 
    38. INGELOSI TRADING 192 CC 
    39. Intellect Management & Training consultancy 
    40. Jacks Dive Chest 
    41. Jerico Training and Fire Industries 
    42. K9 REVELATION SERVICES 
    43. Kahisano Skills Development and Training 
    44. KBC Health and Safety 
    45. KDS Centre for Skills Development and Training Pty Ltd 
    46. Khulani HR Consultancy (Pty) Ltd 
    47. Kulika Training and Consultancy Pty Ltd 
    48. Kwetsima (Pty) Ltd. 
    49. Little Treehouse Holdings (PTY) Ltd 
    50. MadibengGeneral Suppliers 
    51. Madidi Supply Chain Institute & Business Consultant 
    52. Magas Training and Development (Pty) Ltd 
    53. MCLS Training 
    54. MILITES DEI SECURITY SERVICES (PTY) LTD 
    55. Netcobrite (Pty) Ltd 
    56. Nowethu Learning Institute cc 
    57. NS Traders 
    58. OHS Legislative Training CC 
    59. OHS TRAINING AFRICA 
    60. Order of St John 
    61. PAL PASSENGER BUS SERVICES 
    62. PASE ADVANCED TRAINING CONCEPT PTY LTD 
    63. Phephani Learnerships cc 
    64. Phiwokuhle Projects and Training Academy Pty Ltd 
    65. Precision skills development and training 
    66. Premier Conferencing cc 
    67. PRO Skills Development (Pty) Ltd 
    68. PROTEA COIN GROUP (ASSETS IN TRANSIT AND ARMED REACTION) 
    69. PROXIMAL TRADING AND TRAINING SOLUTION SA (PTY) LT 
    70. Quantum Leap College Pty Ltd 
    71. R and T Training (Pty) Ltd 
    72. RAPS K9 LAW ENFORCEMENT 
    73. RCH Investments (Pty) Ltd 
    74. Reef Training Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    75. Relay EMS (PTY) LTD 
    76. RONIN PROTECTION SERVICES 
    77. Royal Impression Academy 
    78. Sanda Skills Development (Pty) Ltd 
    79. SC Training 
    80. School of Safety Training Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    81. Sediba Sabasadi Skills Training Academy (Pty) Ltd 
    82. Seng''khona Trading Enterprise 129 cc 
    83. Sherq Technical Solutions (Pty) Ltd. 
    84. South African Fire and Medical Academy (SAFMA) 
    85. South African Transport Centre of Excellence 
    86. SSG TRAINING ACADEMY PTY LTD 
    87. Striving Mind Academy and Consultancy Pty Ltd 
    88. SVA Training 
    89. Tasa Training Services cc 
    90. TEACHERBUBBLES 
    91. The Assessment Zone (Pty) Ltd 
    92. The National Occupational Safety and Health Consultancy NOSHC 
    93. The Skills Authority 
    94. Thwala Training Services (Pty) Ltd 
    95. Training Consultant and SD College 
    96. Training Force 
    97. Tshwane First Aid & Safety Training (Pty) Ltd 
    98. Twin Mark Strategy and Management Consultants (Pty) Ltd 
    99. Ubuntu Asssessors Solutions 
    100. Ukwakhile Projects Pty Ltd 
    101. Umbono Training 
    102. Uthingo Training Centre 
    103. Various Aligned Safety And Training 
    104. Vhonisani Training Academy & Projects 
    105. VSL General Trading CC 
    106. Wheelset Academy Of Machine Operators 
    107. WHSE Training College (Pty) Ltd 
    108. Wild Boar Fire cc 
    109. YouLearnIT Academy 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.