First Aid Course in Abu Dhabi and Across the UAE

A first aid course teaches you what to do in the minutes before help arrives: someone collapses at work, a child is choking, a colleague is bleeding badly or struggling to breathe. Safety First Medical Services is an American Heart Association training centre on Al Reem Island in Abu Dhabi. We teach the AHA Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED course to individuals at our centre and to company teams on site across the UAE. No medical background is needed. Live dates are below — pick one and register in about a minute.

What you learn on a first aid course

The Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED course is organised the way emergencies actually happen:

• First aid basics — keeping yourself safe, calling for help, using gloves and other protection, and finding the problem.
• Medical emergencies — breathing problems and asthma, allergic reactions and anaphylaxis including how to help with an epinephrine auto-injector, heart attack, fainting, diabetes and low blood sugar, stroke, and seizures.
• Injury emergencies — stopping serious bleeding with direct pressure and a tourniquet, wounds, burns, head, neck and spine injuries, broken bones and sprains, and electrical injuries.
• Environmental emergencies — bites and stings, heat-related illness (relevant in the UAE summer), cold emergencies, and poisoning.
• CPR and AED — adult CPR, using an automated external defibrillator, and relief of choking.

Our guide to what first aid training covers goes through each module in more detail.

Who takes a first aid course

• Workplace first aiders nominated by their employer — offices, retail, hospitality, construction, manufacturing and logistics.
• Teachers, school nurses and childcare staff — who often need the pediatric first aid course instead.
• Security, facility management and HSE teams.
• Parents, carers and anyone who simply wants to be ready.

Healthcare professionals need a different course. If you work in a clinical role, you almost certainly need BLS rather than first aid — see first aid vs BLS.

Which first aid course is right for you?

What the day looks like

The course is mostly practice. Short video segments show each skill, then you do it: applying pressure and a tourniquet on a training arm, helping someone use an auto-injector trainer, putting a casualty in a safe position, giving CPR on a manikin and using a training AED. Our instructors keep examples local — heat illness on a site in August, a colleague with diabetes during Ramadan, a child choking at a mall food court. Sessions at our centre run from 09:00 to about 14:30.

First aid training for companies

Most of the first aiders we train are sent by their employer. We run on-site group courses at offices, sites, schools and clinics anywhere in the UAE, and can schedule shifts so that the workplace is never without trained first aiders. Our guide to first aid training for companies covers planning, numbers and records, and the SFMS blog has more on workplace first aid training in the UAE.

What to bring and where we are

Bring a photo ID and wear comfortable clothes — you will kneel on the floor to practise CPR and put a partner in a safe position. Everything else, including manikins, training AEDs, auto-injector trainers, gloves and bandages, is provided. Our centre is at Addax Office Tower, Office 1105, on Al Reem Island in Abu Dhabi. If you have a condition that makes kneeling difficult, tell us when you book and the instructor will adapt the practice for you.

The certificate

Successful students receive the AHA Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED course completion card, valid for two years and verifiable online. When it is due, the first aid renewal guide explains what to do.

Four mistakes we see every month

1. Booking a healthcare course by accident. BLS and ACLS are for clinicians. Most employees need Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED.
2. Training one person per site. First aiders go on leave, change shifts and move jobs. Train enough people to cover every shift.
3. Forgetting children. Schools and nurseries need the pediatric course, which teaches infant and child skills.
4. Letting cards lapse together. If a whole team trained on one day, they all expire on one day. Stagger renewals.

First aid guide directory

44 guides answering the questions people ask about a first aid course, plus a practical guide to each common emergency. The same list is on the first aid guides directory page.

Getting started (6)

• What Does a First Aid Course Cover? The Heartsaver Course Module by Module — What the AHA Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED course covers, module by module: medical, injury and environmental emergencies, CPR, AED and choking.
• How Long Is a First Aid Course? Times for Each Heartsaver Course — How long a first aid course takes in Abu Dhabi: Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED, Pediatric First Aid and CPR AED only, and how to plan staff time for training.
• Which First Aid Course Do I Need? A Guide by Role and Workplace — Which first aid course to take: no prerequisites, and how to choose between standard, pediatric, CPR-only, Highfield and mental health first aid by role.
• What to Expect on a First Aid Course: The Day Step by Step — What happens on a Heartsaver first aid course in Abu Dhabi: arrival, the video-and-practice format, the skills you practise, the skills check and your card.
• How to Book First Aid Training in Abu Dhabi for You or Your Team — How to book a first aid course with SFMS: choosing the right course, individual booking online, company and school group bookings, invoices and records.
• First Aid Course Fees in the UAE: Individual and Company Pricing — What affects the price of a first aid course in the UAE: course type, individual or company booking, on-site delivery and what a good quote includes.

Courses for companies, schools and families (3)

• Pediatric First Aid Course in Abu Dhabi: Child and Infant First Aid and CPR — AHA Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR AED in Abu Dhabi for teachers, nursery staff and parents: child and infant first aid, CPR, AED and choking.
• First Aid Training for Companies: On-Site Courses Across the UAE — On-site first aid training for companies in Abu Dhabi and the UAE: how many first aiders to train, planning shifts and renewals, and keeping records.
• First Aid Training for Schools and Nurseries in the UAE — On-site first aid training for schools and nurseries in the UAE: pediatric first aid for teachers, allergy and asthma plans, trips and sports days.

Certificate, practice and renewal (3)

• First Aid Renewal in Abu Dhabi: Renewing Your Heartsaver Card — How to renew your AHA Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED card in Abu Dhabi: when to book, what the renewal course involves and how to plan renewals for a team.
• First Aid Certificate in the UAE: What Your Heartsaver Card Shows — Your first aid certificate explained: the AHA Heartsaver course completion card, validity, how employers use it for first aider registers, and renewal.
• First Aid Practice Questions With Answers — Free first aid quiz with answers: bleeding, burns, heat stroke, allergic reactions, seizures, low blood sugar, stroke signs and when to call 998 in the UAE.

First aid by workplace (6)

• First Aid for Construction Sites in the UAE — First aid training for UAE construction and industrial sites: falls, crush injuries, heavy bleeding, summer heat illness, eye and electrical injuries.
• Office First Aid Training: What Office First Aiders Deal With — Office first aid training in Abu Dhabi and the UAE: the incidents office first aiders actually see, how many to train and AEDs in office towers.
• First Aid for Hotels, Restaurants and Retail Staff in the UAE — First aid training for hospitality and retail teams: guest collapses, allergic reactions to food, kitchen burns and cuts, pool incidents and mall emergencies.
• First Aid for Security Guards and Security Teams — First aid for security guards and teams: first on scene, AED response, crowd events, injuries from incidents, heat on outdoor posts and ambulance handover.
• First Aid for Parents and Nannies in the UAE — First aid for parents, nannies and carers in the UAE: choking, falls, burns, poisoning from household products, pools, fever fits and when to call 998.
• First Aid for Gyms, Coaches and Sports Clubs — First aid for gym staff, coaches and sports clubs: sudden collapse and the AED, sprains and fractures, head knocks and concussion, heat on outdoor pitches.

Emergency-by-emergency first aid (18)

• Severe Bleeding First Aid: Pressure, Tourniquets and Packing — How to stop severe bleeding: firm direct pressure, when and how to use a tourniquet on an arm or leg, what to do if blood soaks through, and when to call 998.
• Burns First Aid: Cool, Cover, and When a Burn Needs Hospital — First aid for burns and scalds: cool running water for at least 10 minutes, what never to put on a burn, chemical burns and when to go to hospital.
• Heat Stroke vs Heat Exhaustion: First Aid for UAE Summers — How to tell heat exhaustion from heat stroke, how to cool someone fast, and how outdoor workplaces in the UAE prevent heat illness during the summer months.
• Anaphylaxis First Aid: Recognising a Severe Allergic Reaction — How to recognise anaphylaxis, help someone use an adrenaline auto-injector, position them, when a second dose may help, and why hospital is a must.
• Asthma Attack First Aid: Helping With a Reliever Inhaler — What to do in an asthma attack: sit them upright, help with their reliever inhaler and spacer, signs it is severe, dust triggers and when to call 998.
• Heart Attack First Aid: Warning Signs and What to Do — Heart attack warning signs in men and women, what to do while waiting for 998, when aspirin may help, and how a heart attack differs from a cardiac arrest.
• Stroke First Aid: The FAST Test and Why Time Matters — How to recognise a stroke with the FAST test, why noting the time symptoms began matters, what to do while waiting for 998, and what not to give.
• Seizure First Aid: Keep Them Safe, Time It, and When to Call 998 — What to do when someone has a seizure: protect them, never restrain or put anything in the mouth, time it, recovery position afterwards and when to call 998.
• Low Blood Sugar First Aid: Helping in a Diabetic Emergency — First aid for low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia): recognising it, giving sugar safely, rechecking after 15 minutes, fasting risks and when to call 998.
• Fainting First Aid: What to Do Before and After Someone Faints — First aid for fainting: warning signs, simple muscle-tensing moves that can stop a faint, what to do once someone is down, and when a faint needs 998.
• Fractures and Sprains First Aid: Support, Cold and When to Call — First aid for suspected broken bones, sprains and strains: support the limb, never straighten it, cold packs, open fractures, and when an ambulance is needed.
• Head Injury and Concussion First Aid: Danger Signs to Watch For — First aid for head injuries and concussion: danger signs that need 998, suspected neck and spine injuries, observing someone after a knock, and children.
• Poisoning First Aid: Swallowed, Inhaled and Skin Exposures — First aid for poisoning at home and work: swallowed medicines and cleaners, button batteries, fumes, chemicals on the skin, and why not to induce vomiting.
• Bites and Stings First Aid: Scorpions, Snakes, Bees and Jellyfish — First aid for scorpion stings, snake bites, bee and wasp stings, jellyfish stings and animal bites in the UAE, with the myths to avoid and when to call 998.
• Drowning First Aid: Safe Rescue, Breathing and Pool Safety — What to do after a drowning incident: reach or throw rather than go in, why rescue breaths matter, why everyone needs a hospital check, and pool safety.
• Eye Injury First Aid: Chemicals, Dust and Objects in the Eye — First aid for eye injuries at work and home: rinsing chemicals out of the eye, dust and grit, embedded objects, blows to the eye and when to go to hospital.
• Electric Shock First Aid: Make It Safe Before You Touch — First aid for electric shock: isolating the power, high-voltage dangers, checking breathing, electrical burns and why every injury needs a medical check.
• First Aid Kit Checklist for Home, Car and Workplace — What to keep in a first aid kit for the home, car, office and construction site in the UAE, plus where to keep it, checking expiry dates and adding an AED.

Comparisons (4)

• First Aid vs BLS: Which Course Do You Need? — First aid vs BLS compared: who each course is for, what they teach and which one your job needs. Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED or AHA BLS Provider.
• CPR AED Course vs First Aid Course: Which One Do You Need? — Heartsaver CPR AED vs Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED: what each covers, how long they take, and which one is right for you or your workplace.
• Heartsaver vs Highfield First Aid: Which Qualification to Choose — AHA Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED compared with the Highfield Level 3 Emergency First Aid award: who issues each, content, and which employers ask for it.
• First Aid vs Mental Health First Aid: How the Courses Differ — Physical first aid compared with Mental Health First Aid: what each teaches, who takes which, and why many UAE employers train both kinds of first aider.

First aid across the UAE (3)

• First Aid Course for Dubai Companies and Residents — First aid training for Dubai companies and residents: on-site Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED at your office, hotel, school or site, or at our Abu Dhabi centre.
• First Aid Course for Al Ain Organisations — First aid training for Al Ain organisations: on-site courses for schools, universities, farms and industrial sites, with long ambulance distances in mind.
• First Aid Course for Sharjah, Ajman and the Northern Emirates — First aid training in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah: on-site Heartsaver courses for factories, schools and hotels.

Related courses

Other life support and first aid courses: BLS Course · ACLS Course · PALS Course · Training calendar

Frequently asked questions

How long is a first aid course?

The AHA Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED course takes most of a day. Our sessions run from 09:00 to about 14:30.

Do I need any medical background?

No. Heartsaver courses are designed for people with little or no medical training.

How long is a first aid certificate valid?

The AHA Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED course completion card is valid for two years.

Does the first aid course include CPR?

Yes. Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED includes adult CPR, AED use and choking relief. Child and infant CPR can be added, or taken in the pediatric course.

Is there an exam?

You demonstrate the skills to the instructor during the course. Your instructor explains any written component on the day.

Can you train our staff at our workplace?

Yes. We run on-site group first aid courses for companies, schools and clinics anywhere in the UAE.

Is the AHA first aid certificate recognised in the UAE?

AHA Heartsaver courses are widely used by UAE employers. If your company or sector regulator specifies a particular provider or qualification, check with them first.

Should healthcare staff take first aid or BLS?

Healthcare staff normally need BLS, which is the professional-level CPR course. First aid is designed for the workplace and the public.

Is there a first aid course for children?

Yes, the AHA Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR AED course covers first aid, CPR and choking for infants and children.

How do I book?

Choose a date in the booking form at the top of this page and complete your details, or contact us for a group booking.

Sources and further reading

What we teach follows the awarding body and the UAE health authorities. For the definitive position on a course or licensing question, these are the places to check.

• Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED — American Heart Association
• Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED course options — American Heart Association
• CPR and ECC Guidelines — American Heart Association
• AHA eCard lookup and verification — American Heart Association
• Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre — Abu Dhabi
• Department of Health — Abu Dhabi

Last reviewed 21 September 2026 by the training team at Safety First Medical Services, an American Heart Association training centre at Addax Office Tower, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi. Call +971 55 761 9841 or email training@safetyfirstmed.ae.