First aid courses in the UK: free, online and certified
Last checked 3 November 2026 · By Connor Dullaway
Start free. The British Red Cross teaches first aid skills online for free, runs free workshops for adults, and has a free app. St John Ambulance has a free online advice library and free awareness sessions. Pay for a course only if you want a certificate or hands-on practice.
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Free ways to learn (best first step)
- British Red Cross: learn first aid (Link to the British Red Cross (a charity). We earn nothing from it): step-by-step skills online (severe bleeding, CPR and defibrillators, choking, burns, head injuries and more), free learning for babies and children, free workshops for adults (19+) online and face to face, and a free app. The workshops do not give a qualification.
- St John Ambulance: first aid advice (Link to St John Ambulance (a charity). We earn nothing from it): a free online library for common emergencies, CPR and basic life support, children's first aid, posters and apps. Its menu also lists free first aid awareness sessions.
Paid courses with a certificate
- ProTrainings: first aid courses (Link to ProTrainings, a course company. We earn nothing from it): online, remote and classroom courses. Its list includes a 50 Plus First Aid course (for families and carers) and an AED and bleed control awareness course. Check the course page for the price, length and whether it is regulated.
- The British Red Cross page above also has a "Book a first aid course" option for work or family.
Which one is right for us?
| You want | Start with |
|---|---|
| To know what to do, for free | Red Cross online skills + the free app |
| Practice with other people, free | A Red Cross free workshop (adults 19+), or St John Ambulance awareness sessions |
| A certificate | A paid course (online, blended or classroom) |
| Skills for a serious emergency | Severe bleeding, CPR and AED first; then our first aid after a blast or accident guide |
Then check your kit
A course is more useful with the right kit at home. See what to keep in a home first aid kit, whether to buy or build one, and how a first aid kit differs from an emergency kit. Giving a course as a present? See the Christmas survival gift guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free first aid course in the UK?
Yes. The British Red Cross has free first aid skills to learn online, free first aid learning for helping babies and children, and free first aid workshops for adults (ages 19+), online and face to face. The workshops don't give a qualification. St John Ambulance also lists free first aid awareness sessions and a free online first aid advice library.
Do I need a certificate to give first aid at home?
No. A certificate matters for work, for example as a workplace first aider. For your family, the free Red Cross and St John Ambulance learning covers the key skills. Pick a paid, certified course if you want a qualification or more hands-on practice.
Are online first aid courses any good?
They are a good start for knowing what to do. ProTrainings sells online, remote and classroom courses, and the Red Cross has online learning and face-to-face workshops. Hands-on practice (CPR on a manikin, for example) needs a classroom or blended course.
Which first aid skills matter most in a serious emergency?
Severe bleeding, CPR and using a defibrillator (AED), choking, burns and head injuries are all on the British Red Cross list of skills to learn online. ProTrainings also lists an AED and bleed control awareness course.
Is there a first aid app?
Yes. The British Red Cross has a free first aid app to learn and practise first aid, and St John Ambulance lists first aid apps on its site.
Can I give a first aid course as a present?
Yes. Our Christmas gift guide lists first aid courses next to bushcraft days and practical kit. Check the provider's booking and refund terms before you buy.
Sources
We opened each page on the date shown. Courses and prices change: check the provider's page before you book.
- British Red Cross: Learn first aid (read 3 November 2026)
- St John Ambulance: First aid advice (read 3 November 2026)
- ProTrainings: First aid courses (online or classroom) (read 3 November 2026)