Where to Get Cheap First Aid Training Equipment
If you’re setting up a first aid training business or you need to source new equipment, you’ll probably have a tight budget to work to. First aid equipment isn’t the only cost in a training business when you consider all the other general supplies (see our article for a definitive list).
In this article, we cover where you can find cost-effective first aid training equipment that’ll guarantee your business reputation without breaking the bank.
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Where to Source First Aid Training Equipment
It’s important to source good quality first aid training equipment from a reputed supplier. You’ll want to ensure anatomical models are correct, manikins withstand repeated use, and items like bandages can be practised with multiple times without losing their quality. Finding a trustworthy supplier means you’ll have reliable equipment that’ll keep your course going for a long time without incurring more costs over time.
Steroplast Healthcare has been a leading first aid brand in business for over 25 years. We supply first aid organisations, including the British Red Cross, St John Ambulance, and UK hospitals, with first aid training equipment.
First aid course leaders source equipment directly from our online store, which we deliver wherever they need it in the UK.
Read our article The Recommended First Aid Training Equipment List to Teach a Course for a definitive list of all the items needed to teach a course.
Can you use second-hand first aid supplies?
There’s nothing to say you can’t use second-hand first aid training equipment for training purposes. In fact, this is a great way to reuse first aid supplies when they can’t be used in genuine first aid situations, so they don’t end up going to waste.
For example, if a wound dressing’s sterile packaging has been broken, it can’t be used to dress a real wound anymore, but it’s still in good condition to practice on non-broken skin.
Provided second-hand first aid supplies are clean (not sterile, but unsoiled by body fluids like blood, which would categorise them as biohazardous) and in good enough condition to imitate ‘real-life’ first aid techniques, they can be used to help you in practical training.
Buy first aid training packs with bandages, gloves, safety pins, and triangle bandages that can be reused.
Is there anywhere to get free first aid training equipment?
You may be able to source first aid equipment for free through donations from charities, businesses, and even other first aid training organisations. Generally, free first aid training supplies will be secondhand, so their quality could be diminished. Be wary of free first aid equipment and check the following before using it.
- Is it clean? Ensure all items are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, as they will likely have been touched and used.
- Is it out of date? Some items like bandages may be used past their use-by date for training purposes only, provided they are not soiled and still in good working order. Other items like training AEDs will need to be in date as their functionality could diminish over time.
- Does it work properly? Interactive manikins are excellent for first aid training, provided they work correctly. Issues such as delayed responses could affect how well students learn first aid techniques.
Simplify Workplace First Aid
Interactive Online Guide & Downloadable Brochure
Simplify Workplace First Aid
Interactive Online Guide & Downloadable Brochure
Choose the format that works for you: check out our Workplace First Aid Interactive Online Guide or download our 2-in-1 Workplace First Aid & Advanced Life Support Buyers Guide as an easy-to-save PDF. Both include a self-assessment, product details, and comprehensive training and support.
Can you use out-of-date first aid supplies?
As stated above, some out-of-date first aid supplies can be used for training purposes. This is a good way to use up supplies and prevent them from going to waste. However, it’s important to be mindful of safety when using out-of-date supplies and equipment and use some common sense.
For example, using an out-of-date but otherwise clean bandage for training purposes isn’t generally a problem. The bandage will likely work just as well, and students can use it to practice wrapping a pretend wound. There’s no issue of sterility as they won’t be using it on a real wound.
However, using an out-of-date training AED could present issues. The AED is designed to react in certain ways to perform like a real AED and provide feedback that teaches students they’re using it in the correct way. A piece of electric equipment like this is more likely to degrade over time, and it’s reactions and use could be affected.
Resources for Teaching First Aid
Steroplast’s knowledge base is filled with easy-to-follow free resources and guidance on first aid practices. Our step-by-step guides and tips on how to correctly use first aid equipment come from our expert team, all presented in plain language for non-trained persons to understand.
Take a look at just some of our first aid guides.
Videos are an excellent way to help visualise first aid techniques. Take a look at Steroplast’s YouTube channel for short first aid training videos. We also have a TikTok account with similar content.
Please enter your details into the form below along with any questions or comments and a member of our team will be happy to provide you with more information:
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Personal First Aid Online Guide
Find everything you need, from first aid kits, plasters & bandages to hot & cold therapy.
If you’re setting up a first aid training business or you need to source new equipment, you’ll probably have a tight budget to work to. First aid equipment isn’t the only cost in a training business when you consider all the other general supplies (see our article for a definitive list).
In this article, we cover where you can find cost-effective first aid training equipment that’ll guarantee your business reputation without breaking the bank.
Where to Source First Aid Training Equipment
It’s important to source good quality first aid training equipment from a reputed supplier. You’ll want to ensure anatomical models are correct, manikins withstand repeated use, and items like bandages can be practised with multiple times without losing their quality. Finding a trustworthy supplier means you’ll have reliable equipment that’ll keep your course going for a long time without incurring more costs over time.
Steroplast Healthcare has been a leading first aid brand in business for over 25 years. We supply first aid organisations, including the British Red Cross, St John Ambulance, and the NHS, with first aid training equipment.
First aid course leaders source equipment directly from our online store, which we deliver wherever they need it in the UK.
Read our article The Recommended First Aid Training Equipment List to Teach a Course for a definitive list of all the items needed to teach a course.
Can you use second-hand first aid supplies?
There’s nothing to say you can’t use second-hand first aid training equipment for training purposes. In fact, this is a great way to reuse first aid supplies when they can’t be used in genuine first aid situations, so they don’t end up going to waste.
For example, if a wound dressing’s sterile packaging has been broken, it can’t be used to dress a real wound anymore, but it’s still in good condition to practice on non-broken skin.
Provided second-hand first aid supplies are clean (not sterile, but unsoiled by body fluids like blood, which would categorise them as biohazardous) and in good enough condition to imitate ‘real-life’ first aid techniques, they can be used to help you in practical training.
Buy first aid training packs with bandages, gloves, safety pins, and triangle bandages that can be reused.
Is there anywhere to get free first aid training equipment?
You may be able to source first aid equipment for free through donations from charities, businesses, and even other first aid training organisations. Generally, free first aid training supplies will be secondhand, so their quality could be diminished. Be wary of free first aid equipment and check the following before using it.
- Is it clean? Ensure all items are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, as they will likely have been touched and used.
- Is it out of date? Some items like bandages may be used past their use-by date for training purposes only, provided they are not soiled and still in good working order. Other items like training AEDs will need to be in date as their functionality could diminish over time.
- Does it work properly? Interactive manikins are excellent for first aid training, provided they work correctly. Issues such as delayed responses could affect how well students learn first aid techniques.
Can you use out-of-date first aid supplies?
As stated above, some out-of-date first aid supplies can be used for training purposes. This is a good way to use up supplies and prevent them from going to waste. However, it’s important to be mindful of safety when using out-of-date supplies and equipment and use some common sense.
For example, using an out-of-date but otherwise clean bandage for training purposes isn’t generally a problem. The bandage will likely work just as well, and students can use it to practice wrapping a pretend wound. There’s no issue of sterility as they won’t be using it on a real wound.
However, using an out-of-date training AED could present issues. The AED is designed to react in certain ways to perform like a real AED and provide feedback that teaches students they’re using it in the correct way. A piece of electric equipment like this is more likely to degrade over time, and it’s reactions and use could be affected.
Resources for Teaching First Aid
Steroplast’s knowledge base is filled with easy-to-follow free resources and guidance on first aid practices. Our step-by-step guides and tips on how to correctly use first aid equipment come from our expert team, all presented in plain language for non-trained persons to understand.
Take a look at just some of our first aid guides.
Videos are an excellent way to help visualise first aid techniques. Take a look at Steroplast’s YouTube channel for short first aid training videos. We also have a TikTok account with similar content.
Please enter your details into the form below along with any questions or comments and a member of our team will be happy to provide you with more information:
