FPOS Basic - Much use??

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evacpack

Full Registered User
Morning folks,

We're currently running FAAW / EFAW / Paeds First Aid and Wilderness First Aid, but we're looking into other courses that might be of interest. With my quals and experience, (and a couple of registrations etc) I can run the FPOS Basic, but I'm wondering if there will be any demand for it. All the security bods seem to go for the Intermediate, so I'm wondering who it's aimed at really and if it would be worth the paperwork to add to the offering?

Many thanks for your valuable insights as always!

Rich
 
Personally I do not rate FPOS-I, so you can guess what I think of -B. :)

Just my opinion of course!

CEER is the same level as FPOS-I (I believe) and is much better suited to working away from immediate assistance.
 
It’s a hard question to answer because a lot will depend on who will accept the certificate and what the student can do with it.

I have heard some talk on other forums that after the HSE changes at the beginning of October that both the FPOS (B) and FPOS (I) will be acceptable for use as first aiders in a UK workplace. Though I would like this clarified by the HSE, and not rely on optimistic training providers interpretations of the guidance.

IF these certificates are allowed within the workplace, then potentially there could be a market in those industries that in all honestly need more skill level than can be gained on the current three day FAW.

I know a lot of people don’t like the FAW or FPOS courses. But Personally I don’t think there is anything wrong with either of them if they are used within the context of the syllabus. Realistically there is only a problem with them, when people start adding stuff and pretending they are something they were never intended to be.

Though whether you can persuade an employer to fork out for an extra days training, when there is no legal requirement to is another question.
 
Personally I feel that the FPOS basic level just isn't sufficiently warranted, it seems people either want the basic level of first aid training and so the First aid at work courses may fullfil that need. If they want something to equip them to cope in a more remote situation then they tend to simply plunge for the intermediate FPOS.
I actually like the FPOS ethos, again it just comes down to the right method of delivery and how those skills are to be utilised. I do feel however that many companies really like to dress the FPOS course up which can lead to false expectations. Just my two pennys worth but hope it helps? MG
 
Rich

The biggest problem is that the Security Industry Training companies has sold the FPOS(i) course to the Security Industry Authority, and as a result virtually all security / recruiting companies now stipulate it as a prerequisite for getting employment , or to registered on the said companies books, as an operator.

Its such a shame the operators use their hard earned cash, and use their unpaid leave, to undertake a course and then find out , that the majority of security / recruiting companies don't even provide the medical kit as used on the course .... I have only seen one instance of an FPOS(i) being issued a defib and being given O2, in the last 10 years.

Because the majority of companies operate overseas, regardless or hostile or non hostile environment, there appears to be little or no duty of care, with regards to supplying substantial medical supplies, with the orientation being (if any) aimed at bombs and bullets, and little in the way of emergency medicine , and even less towards primary health care - however the same companies EXPECT / STIPULATE FPOS(i) certification, along with MIRE / ATOM or any other ******** course !!!

There are no guidelines / legislation for medical supplies to which the security industry as a whole should subscribe to, yet as operators we are expected to comply with the certification legislation ....... that is until some thing major happens .....

Luckily the Offshore Oil and Gas has these guidelines, but sadly they are not utilised by the security / recruiting companies, and as Offshore Medics / Paramedics working in the security industry, this can be somewhat soul destroying, given the skillset and background that the majority of these medics are used to working in / to....

Most formerly qualified medics / paramedics / health care professionals would much rather have an operator on the ground that DO BASIC SKILLS WELL, eg basic airway management, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, wound care and baseline observations , than a Tier 3 Ipad medic !!! who may have the knowledge but not the practical skill set (and in some cases an arrogant know it all attitude).

As for remote medicine ... leave it to formerly qualified / vocational medics ... just because you may have been taught to suture and cannulate, does not qualify you in the eyes of the law should things go wrong, and usually you will find that the security / recruiting company has not indemnity insurance in place to cover this.

Just my thoughts, and apologies if I happened to have offended anyone's sensitive nature......

Regards

BZ
 
Customloads said:
FPOS (as I understand it) was designed for community first responders, is it appropriate for the oversees security industry?
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Exactly, last time I participated it all was all candidates for ambulance service CFR's. In fact at one point SECAMB were looking to use it as the initial training for responders, till they decided it wasn't quite what they wanted and of course it might actually cost! Now they have an in house written foundation course but don't get me started on that..... ;)
These courses are fine for the context in which they were designed, it's when they are hijacked for other purposes that things go wrong.
 
evacpack said:
Morning folks,

We're currently running FAAW / EFAW / Paeds First Aid and Wilderness First Aid, but we're looking into other courses that might be of interest. With my quals and experience, (and a couple of registrations etc) I can run the FPOS Basic, but I'm wondering if there will be any demand for it. All the security bods seem to go for the Intermediate, so I'm wondering who it's aimed at really and if it would be worth the paperwork to add to the offering?

Many thanks for your valuable insights as always!

Rich
Click to expand...

No, it wound't be much use.

Look at getting your NAEMT and AHA levels, that would be marketable for medics wanting to break into the US market.
 
There is a market for FPOS (B) or it wouldn’t still exist, but has been said it is a very limited market.

The only people I have personally met who have it worked in heavy industry / chemical plants as part of a team, often under the control of ambulance techs or paramedics.

Does it have a place in the security market? Off the top of my head it could offer an entry level certificate for those wanting to get into event / festival work on medical teams, and then work towards a higher certificate.

Is there a big enough market to make it worth a training company investing the time and money necessary to offer this course? Well if I could answer that I would be a business consultant, not a first aid trainer.

But I would ask the some of the members of this forum to remember not everyone has the time, money or even the need to reach their level as Health Care Professionals. Some members of this forum work at the entry level of security work and never intend to break into the high risk jobs. If taught correctly then First Aid / FPOS gives then exactly want they need.
 
yes, the "Level 2 EDEXCEL BTEC IHCD FPOS B" certificate not only gives you the most ridiculous list of acronyms ever in the medical industry it also gives you basic first person on scene. Like little timmy has fallen or grandma isn't breathing.

They used to call it "First Aid/CPR" .. but those were far simpler times.

It certainly has a place... in Close Protection? No, 99% percent are x-military/police and so you should already know all this. It's good i guess if you want a justifiable reason to snog the unconscious girl while working a door..

And i suppose at some level the certificate looks ninja with its hologram and divinci code names...
 
K9medic said:
There is a market for FPOS (B) or it wouldn’t still exist, but has been said it is a very limited market.
Click to expand...

Yes, for Community First Responders who will be giving O2 and using airways in addition to the basics of First Aid.

Not even sure if FPOS covers CAT tourniquets?
 
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