About the FREC 3 Qualification
Our FREC 3 course in Devon is a nationally recognised Level 3 First Response Emergency Care qualification designed for security teams, event medics, and professionals working in high-risk or remote environments. Delivered in Newton Abbot, Devon, and accessible from Plymouth, Exeter, Torquay, and surrounding areas across the South West, this Qualsafe Level 3 Award in First Response Emergency Care training course develops practical pre-hospital care, trauma management, and emergency response skills. Delegates leave equipped to act confidently as the first responder in operational and high-pressure situations.
Upcoming FREC 3 Course – Newton Abbot, Devon
Dates: 23 – 27 February 2026
Location: Kingdom Business Centre, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 4PB
£485.00
We now accept Klarna payments, making it easier for you to spread the cost of your training
Advanced FREC 3 Training for Security, Remote, and High-Risk Professionals in Devon
This FREC 3 training course in Devon from our Newton Abbot training centre uses immersive, scenario-based learning to develop competence in patient assessment, airway management, catastrophic bleeding, trauma care, and medical emergency response. Delegates practise structured casualty management, prioritisation, and scene safety, gaining confidence to act in high-risk and remote settings. It is ideal for security teams, close protection operatives, event medics, remote, outdoor, and lone workers operating across Devon and the wider South West.
Learning outcomes
Understand the role and responsibilities of a first responder.
Assess an incident and determine the appropriate response.
Assess and manage patients with life-threatening and non-life-threatening injuries or illnesses.
Evaluate and manage a patient’s airway.
Manage an unresponsive patient who is not breathing normally.
Safely use an AED during resuscitation and ensure it is maintained ready for use.
Administer emergency oxygen effectively.
Assess and manage trauma patients.
Recognise and control catastrophic bleeding.
Assess and manage chest injuries.
Manage general bleeding and compromised circulation.
Assess and treat wounds and eye injuries.
Manage patients with burns or scalds.
Provide care for patients affected by sudden poisoning.
Deliver emergency care for head, spinal, and musculoskeletal injuries.
Identify and manage patients experiencing breathing difficulties.
Manage patients suffering from anaphylaxis.
Assess and manage suspected major illnesses.
Provide care for patients actively convulsing.
Recognise and treat the effects of environmental exposure.
Why choose Optimal First Aid for FREC 3?
Experienced paramedic and military‑trained instructors
Delivered by frontline emergency care professionals with real operational experience.
Scenario‑based, hands‑on learning
Realistic simulations build confidence, competence, and calm decision‑making under pressure.
Small group training
Ensures personalised instruction, high skill retention, and a supportive learning environment.
Nationally recognised qualification
Fully Ofqual‑regulated and accepted across emergency care pathways and high‑risk sectors.
Clear progression routes
Support for learners progressing to FREC 4 and advanced pre‑hospital care roles.
Who should attend the FREC 3 Course
The FREC 3 course Devon is suitable for professionals who may face high-risk situations and need advanced pre-hospital care skills.
- Security teams & SIA staff
- Event medics & medical cover teams
- Remote, outdoor, and lone workers
- Construction and industrial
- Emergency services personnel
Course location:
Our FREC 3 training course is delivered in Newton Abbot, Devon, at Kingdom Business Centre, Brunel Road, TQ12 4PB.
The venue is easily accessible from Plymouth, Exeter, Torquay, and surrounding areas, with excellent road links via the A380 and nearby mainline rail connections. On-site parking is available, and local transport options make the location convenient for candidates travelling from across Devon and the wider South West.
Book Your FREC 3 Devon Course
All of our trainers are experienced, highly skilled educators, ensuring your course is memorable, informative, and genuinely enjoyable.
As one of the South West’s leading providers of publicly available First Aid and Pre Hospital Care courses, we almost certainly have a course starting soon near you.
Operational Pre-Hospital Care for High-Risk and Remote Environments
This FREC 3 training develops advanced first response skills for professionals operating in high-risk, remote, and security-focused environments. It is particularly relevant for door supervisors, close protection operatives, event medical staff, maritime security personnel, forestry teams, and lone workers who may be required to manage incidents before emergency services arrive.
The course strengthens clinical decision-making, structured casualty assessment, trauma management, and medical emergency response in dynamic environments. Delegates refine their ability to manage catastrophic bleeding, airway compromise, head injuries, fractures, and life-threatening medical conditions while maintaining scene safety and professional standards.
Through realistic, scenario-led exercises, learners apply pre-hospital care principles in operational settings rather than controlled classroom simulations. Emphasis is placed on effective communication, prioritisation of treatment, and working within a recognised scope of practice aligned to industry expectations.
By completion, participants are capable of delivering an enhanced level of emergency medical response that exceeds standard first aid training and supports regulatory requirements within security and high-risk sectors.
Course Details
Qualification: Level 3 Award in First Response Emergency Care (RQF)
Guided Learning Hours (GLH): 35 hours
Duration: 5 days
This Ofqual-regulated qualification prepares learners to provide emergency care in pre-hospital environments across security, emergency response, healthcare support, law enforcement, military, and high-risk industries.
Assessment Process
To achieve certification, learners must successfully complete:
1 multiple-choice theory assessment
practical skills assessments
an invigilated examination
All elements must be passed to gain the qualification.
Entry Requirements
Participants must be at least 17 years of age and possess a foundational knowledge of first aid. A minimum of Level 2 literacy is recommended to ensure learners can effectively engage with the written assessments and course materials.
Progression Opportunities
Successful completion of this qualification provides a clear pathway to the Level 4 Certificate in First Response Emergency Care (FREC 4) and other advanced pre-hospital care awards. It also strengthens professional credibility and supports progression into a wide range of emergency response and clinical support roles.
Requalification
The Level 3 FREC qualification remains valid for three years. To retain certification and remain compliant, learners are required to complete a requalification course before expiry.
Testimonials
“I recently completed the FREC 3 course with Toby Osborne as the instructor, and it was a fantastic experience. Toby was knowledgeable, engaging, and made complex topics much easier to understand. He created a supportive learning environment and was always willing to answer questions and provide real-world examples. I highly recommend taking this course!”
— Noor Al, Emergency Response Team, BAE, Google Review
“Toby brings real‑world experience into every session. His background as a CMT in the Parachute Regiment gives him a calm confidence and credibility that learners instantly respect. His courses are practical, memorable, and grounded in real operational insight.” — Tom Boyd, Linkedin
Frequently Asked Questions
The Level 3 Award in First Response Emergency Care (FREC 3) is an Ofqual‑regulated pre‑hospital care qualification designed for individuals who may be first on scene at a medical or trauma emergency. It provides a higher level of training than standard first aid and forms part of the recognised FREC pathway.
FREC 3 is ideal for those working in security, event medical cover, construction, remote environments, public‑facing roles, and high‑risk industries. It is also widely used by police, fire, military and emergency response personnel.
If booking online, you can pay securely using a debit or credit card. If you prefer to pay by invoice, please contact a member of our team who can process your booking for you. We require either payment or a purchase order at the time of reservation. A formal invoice will be issued, and once payment has been successfully processed, your joining instructions will be sent.
FREC 3 is significantly more advanced and is suitable for those working in high-risk or emergency roles. If you’re working in remote, hostile, or high-risk environments, FREC 3 is usually the better (and sometimes legally necessary) option. But for standard HSE compliance in lower-risk environments, First Aid at Work does the job.
The course is delivered at Kingdom Business Centre, Kingdom House, Brunel Rd, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 4PB.
FREC 3 is valid for three years, after which learners must complete a requalification or progress to a higher level such as FREC 4.
Yes, FREC 3 is widely used by event medics and is often the minimum requirement for providing medical cover at public events, festivals and sports fixtures.
Yes – it’s recognised by the SIA for Close Protection and similar sectors. The SIA (Security Industry Authority) requires first aid training for security professionals to ensure they can effectively handle emergency situations and provide immediate assistance to those in need.
EXCELLENT Based on 251 reviews Posted on Richard EdmondsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A really useful course with practical learning for the outdoor scenario which is somuch more useful than just the First Aid at Work course.Posted on Wendy DaltonTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. High up on Dartmoor in a modern village community centre, during stormy winter weather, an apt setting for the Outdoor first aid course. Direct access to the outdoors from the large airy room. Very experienced and professional trainer, who clearly really knew his stuff having been a medic in the Army. Trainer was friendly and helpful always able to answer any question and give real examples of incidents he'd dealt with to back up learning. Group work and practical sessions kept it interesting and - joy! - no powerpoint.Posted on Chris AndrewTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The most relevant first aid course I've ever attended. A course crammed with relevant content that was clearly tailored to the participants. All of the advice and techniques were given by someone who had used them in real situations, not taken from a text book. The practical exercises were brilliant and really gave the feel of an actual emergency (worryingly so!). The course is more costly than a more basic course, but are you ticking boxes or training for an actual situation? As someone who is self employed (and so pays the cost! ) I thought it was well worth the money. I can recommend this course to anyone, especially if you are in a more rural environment. Unfortunately I booked my course on a wet day in January. I still enjoyed the course, but next time I might well choose a warmer time of year.Posted on Joanne KnightTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Attended a great outdoor first aid training course with Toby from Optimal First Aid. Very knowledgeable, hands on experience. Well tailored to our workplace. Highly recommend.Posted on Chloe NunnTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I did their outdoor first aid course in October 2025. It was engaging and informative. The high level of hands on practice and scenario based exercises enhance my confidence. I've previously had comparable training through lifeguarding, and while reminders of the basics was incredibly useful, I also felt that this course gave me skills in situation triage and management which I haven't had before.Posted on Simon BrentTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Toby made the day both interesting and enjoyable. Many thanks. Simon Brent, Area Manager F&W Forestry UK Ltd.Posted on Susie AdamsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Well organised, concise sessions. Lots of hands on training. Leader very approachable. Highly recommend.Posted on Gabriele WarwickTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. very good course and teaches in a way that makes you remember the content. hands on and practical as well as good theory. the course has helped me respond to first aid scenarios in real life as well as design evacuation plans and first aid kits for different outdoor settings.Posted on Maria HindTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fantastic course! Toby makes the learning achievable and fun ! I wouldn't work with anyone else! Highly recommend 👌Posted on Gavin RiceTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Superb course. Excellent delivery from Toby and not at all dull like other courses I have been on before
Contact Us about our FREC 3 Courses
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