New First Aid Standards in New Zealand: What’s Changing for Learners?
- City First Aid
- 52 minutes ago
- 3 min read
“Every time I come to first aid, it’s different.”
We hear some version of that in almost every class, whether we’re teaching here in Christchurch, at the RSA in Rangiora, or up in Hanmer or Kaikōura - and you’re not entirely wrong.
First aid advice changes as new evidence emerges, and now the NZQA standards behind first aid training are changing too.
The familiar unit standards 6400, 6401 and 6402 are being replaced by three new skill standards:
41053: Administer basic life support
41052: Administer first aid
41051: Manage first aid during emergency situations
We have until December 2027 to make the change, but we decided to get moderated and approved early because the new skill standards are so much better.
But what does that actually mean when you come to class?
No more written tests
The biggest improvement is that we no longer have to record written answers as part of the assessment for providing basic life support.
First aid is a practical skill, and the assessment should reflect that.
Removing the written component also makes assessment more accessible for people who use English as an additional language or are not confident readers or writers.
Under the new standards, learners demonstrate the required skills during practical assessment after a lot of practice. This is so much better than writing about it.
You don't want your first time using an AED to be during a real cardiac arrest. You want to practice with it before you use it, so you don't hesitate or wait for someone more confident. Delaying putting the pads on decreases the person’s chance of survival. Therefore, practising with one during training makes the equipment familiar, so you are more likely to get it, turn it on and use it as soon as possible.
Some first aid content has changed or moved
The three new standards cover much of the same ground as the standards they replace, but some requirements have been clarified or moved.
41053: Administer basic life support
Learners demonstrate basic life support practically, with greater emphasis on showing the required actions rather than describing them in writing.
No written answers are required for when and how to use an AED, choking, severe bleeding, or how to manage shock.
Learners demonstrate using an AED while performing CPR.
Learners demonstrate back blows and chest thrusts on both an adult or child and an infant manikin, rather than describing the process or demonstrating the chest-thrust position on themselves.
Tourniquet use must be considered when managing severe bleeding.
41052: Administer first aid
Learners demonstrate appropriate first aid for both an injury and a medical condition, including recognising when urgent treatment is needed.
Learners are assessed on at least one injury: a burn, fracture, dislocation, soft-tissue injury or poisoning.
They are also assessed on at least one medical condition: heart attack, asthma exacerbation, stroke, seizure, diabetic emergency or severe allergic reaction.
Severe allergic reaction is now included at Level 2 in our First Aid Basics and Foundation First Aid courses. Previously, it was only included in the NZ First Aid Certificate course.
Learners are expected to recognise the signs of anaphylaxis and provide appropriate first aid, including assisting with an adrenaline auto-injector. (e.g. EpiPen)
41051: Manage first aid during emergency situations:
Learners manage the entire emergency, including scene safety, bystanders, calling for help, and administering first aid as the situation develops.
The assessment involves at least two people with medical conditions or major injuries.
Learners must identify and manage hazards that could affect people at the scene.
They must manage at least one medical condition and two major injuries.
They are also expected to call for help and direct bystanders appropriately.
The course names and minimum training times are not changing, and existing certificates remain valid.
City First Aid is transitioning to the new Skill Standards ahead of the December 2027 deadline, so learners will start seeing these changes in class from early 2027.
You can still book the old unit standards this year, link below.
Next week, I’ll explain what the NZQA levels and credits actually mean, and why those numbers are changing too.
Gail Pomare
Head of Training | City First Aid.
Comments