First Aid
Guidance and information on First Aid arrangements throughout the University.
First Aider Role
The role of a First Aider is to provide immediate, potentially life saving care, before the arrival of further professional medical help.
Any individual at the University may sustain injuries or become ill. The first aid arrangements ensure that our first aiders are readily available to provide immediate assistance or call an ambulance if necessary. Knowing how to administer CPR, stop serious bleeding or treat someone suffering from a seizure or shock can be the difference between life and death.
First Aid Arrangement
Please see the following First Aid Arrangement for further information on the University's first aid provisions:
For More Information
Emergency Situations
If an ambulance is required, call 999 in the first instance. Security can then be called on 02392 843 333 (ext. 3333) if further assistance is required, so they can support and direct the ambulance upon its arrival.
During Working Hours
If an ambulance is not required, please make use of the first aid posters, situated throughout all University buildings across campus.
If a fast response is needed contact Security (ext. 3333) in the first instance. These contact numbers will be on the front of the posters.
If an incident does not require a fast response, building first aiders can be contacted. These contact number can be found through scanning the QR code on the first aid posters.
Out of Working Hours
If first aid is required outside of working hours, but an ambulance is not needed, please contact Security (ext. 3333).
First aid training courses are organised through contacting the Health, Safety and Compliance Team, or emailing hsservicedesk@port.ac.uk.
There are two ways in which staff members can provide first aid cover for the University:
Building First Aider
To become a building first aider, staff must complete a 3 day First Aid at Work course. On completion of this course, the staff member will receive an allowance for the provision of building cover in their area of work.
A further 2 day First Aid at Work re-certification course must be completed 3 years from the previous training date to maintain the qualification.
Emergency First Aider
To become an emergency staff must complete a 1 day Emergency First Aid training course. Emergency first aiders do not receive an allowance, as they are not providing building cover. However, they can be an essential component in providing immediate care which can potentially save someone's life.
It is the Faculty / Department's responsibility to restock first aid boxes. For suggested content, please refer to the HSE. Any approved supplier that has been set up on the finance system can be used to purchase first aid equipment, but ensure the equipment is in line with the British Standard 8599-1.
It is recommended to co-ordinate among all first aid responders within each building / department to assign a first aid kit and ensure they are regularly updated and checked to replace any used items by a designated member of staff.
For information on Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) Locations, please visit the AED webpage:
For more information relating to dealing with sharps incidents, please visit the sharps webpage: