The CFR-C course is suitable for anyone who wants the confidence and skills to respond in a life-threatening emergency before emergency services arrive. No medical or first aid background is required.

This course is ideal if you:

  • Want the confidence to act in a cardiac, choking, or medical emergency

  • Work or volunteer in a community, sports, education, care, or customer-facing role

  • Are a parent, grandparent, or childminder who wants to be prepared at home

  • Are an employer looking to strengthen workplace emergency response

  • Are involved in sports clubs, youth groups, or community organisations

  • Work in a setting where an AED is available (offices, retail, hospitality, public buildings)

  • Are considering a future role in healthcare or emergency services

  • Wish to progress to further PHECC or first aid training

  • Are referred by an employment service or community programme

    Key Information

  • No prior experience needed – suitable for complete beginners

  • Physical ability required – participants must be able to kneel and perform chest compressions

  • Age – learners should be mature enough to understand the training and complete assessment

What You’ll Learn

This PHECC Cardiac First Response (Community) course covers the knowledge and practical skills needed to respond confidently to life-threatening emergencies:

  • Scene safety and patient assessment
    Quickly and safely assess the situation and the casualty

  • The Chain of Survival
    Understanding early recognition and rapid response in cardiac emergencies

  • Recognition of cardiac arrest
    Identifying when CPR and defibrillation are required

  • CPR skills

    One-person CPR for adults, children, and infants

  • Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use

    Safe and effective operation, pad placement, and safety precautions

  • Choking management
    Recognition and treatment of conscious and unconscious choking in adults, children, and infants

  • Recovery position
    Safely positioning a breathing but unresponsive casualty

  • Heart attack and stroke
    Recognition of signs and symptoms, including F.A.S.T. assessment for stroke
    Administration of aspirin for suspected heart attack in line with PHECC Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs)

  • Infection prevention and control

  • Communication with emergency services
    Effective calling, safe handover, and post-incident actions

Assessment & Support

Assessment on the PHECC CFR–Community course is practical and skills-based, focusing on the safe demonstration of core life-saving skills, including CPR, AED use, choking management, recovery position, and recognition of heart attack and stroke. No written exam is required.

Learners are supported throughout by experienced Forus Training tutors, who provide hands-on guidance, immediate feedback, and reassurance during training and assessment.

At Forus Training, you never learn alone — our instructors are always available to help you build confidence, competence, and readiness to act in an emergency.

Career Opportunities

This course may form part of a progression pathway towards:

  • PHECC First Aid Response (FAR)
  • Other healthcare, safety or emergency response training

    Progression is subject to entry requirements and availability.

Fees & How to Apply

Course fees vary depending on delivery format and funding arrangements.

  • Places are offered on a first-come, first-served basis
  • Full payment or confirmed funder approval is required before course commencementApplications are made via the Forus Training website or through approved referral partners

Delivery

Instructor-led, face-to-face practical training.