What First Aiders Are (and Are Not) Legally Responsible For in the UK

One of the biggest barriers to people delivering effective first aid isn’t a lack of skill, first aid is intentionally simple.
It’s fear.

Fear of getting things wrong.
Fear of being blamed.
Fear of legal consequences.

That hesitation costs time, and in an emergency, time matters.

This article sets out clearly and confidently what first aiders in the UK are legally responsible for and, just as importantly, what they are not responsible for.

If you are reviewing your organisation’s first aid provision, our in-house workplace first aid training focuses on confidence, decision-making, and real-world scenarios, not just ticking boxes.

The Short Answer (If You Remember Nothing Else)

If you act in good faith, within your training, to help someone in an emergency, UK law is on your side.

You are not expected to be perfect.
You are expected to be reasonable, proportionate, and well-intentioned.

What Is a First Aider’s Legal Duty?

In the UK, first aiders have a duty of care once they begin helping someone. This means you must:

• Act reasonably
• Use the skills and knowledge you have been trained in
• Put the casualty’s best interests first
• Stop and escalate when the situation goes beyond your competence

This is a common-sense standard, not a professional medical one.

You are not held to the standard of a paramedic, nurse, or doctor.

What the Law Says About “Doing Something”

UK legislation, including the Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Act 2015, recognises that people may hesitate to help in emergencies. The law explicitly protects those who act responsibly.

Courts are required to consider whether a person:

• Was acting for the benefit of others
• Was acting responsibly
• Was acting without expectation of reward

In plain English:
Helping is encouraged, not punished.

This protection exists specifically to prevent people freezing through fear.

What First Aiders Are NOT Legally Responsible For

Let’s remove some persistent myths.

You are not responsible for:

• Guaranteeing a positive outcome
• Making a medical diagnosis
• Having every answer
• Replacing emergency services
• Getting everything “textbook perfect”

First aid is about early intervention, not definitive treatment.

Can a First Aider Be Sued?

In reality, successful legal claims against first aiders in the UK are extremely rare.

For a claim to succeed, it would need to be proven that the first aider:

• Acted recklessly or carelessly
• Acted outside their training
• Caused harm that was foreseeable and avoidable

Providing CPR, using a defibrillator, controlling bleeding, or placing someone in the recovery position does not meet this threshold when done in good faith.

What Actually Causes Legal Problems

Problems arise not from helping, but from poor decisions or inaction, such as:

• Ignoring a casualty who clearly needs help
• Acting far beyond your training (e.g. attempting medical or surgical procedures)
• Failing to call emergency services when required
• Continuing treatment after a conscious casualty has asked you to stop

While there is generally no legal obligation for bystanders to act, best practice — and good first aid training — focuses on safe, proportionate intervention and escalation.

Consent: Do You Need Permission to Help?

Conscious adults

• Ask for consent where possible
• A simple “Can I help you?” is sufficient

Unconscious or confused casualties

• Consent is implied for life-saving treatment
• The law assumes a reasonable person would want help

You are protected when acting in someone’s best interests.

Why Confidence Matters More Than Compliance

Most first aid failures aren’t caused by lack of knowledge — they’re caused by hesitation.

People delay CPR.
People avoid using defibrillators.
People second-guess themselves while someone deteriorates.

The law does not expect hesitation.
It expects reasonable action.

This is why first aid training should prioritise confidence and decision-making, not just memorising steps.

What Employers Should Understand

For employers, responsibility goes beyond simply “having a first aider on paper”.

True legal and moral protection comes from:

• Training matched to actual workplace risks
• Regular refreshers
• Scenario-based learning that builds confidence
• A culture that supports action, not blame

At Constellation Training, our courses are tailored to your workplace and the incidents most likely to occur there.

The Bottom Line

• UK law supports first aiders
• Acting in good faith is protected
• Doing nothing through fear is the greater risk
• Confidence saves lives — hesitation costs them

First aid isn’t about being fearless.
It’s about being prepared, supported, and willing to act.

Need confident first aiders — not just certificates?

Our in-house workplace first aid training focuses on real-world decision-making, UK legal clarity, and the confidence to act when it matters.

Training is tailored to your workplace risks, not generic scenarios.

View our First Aid Training Courses