Day 1 — The role of the first responder
Scene safety, patient assessment, primary and secondary surveys, consent and confidentiality, incident reporting and the legal framework you work within.
Qualsafe approved centre
FREC 3 course — First Response Emergency Care Level 3
A five-day, Qualsafe-approved pre-hospital emergency care qualification delivered by CM Marine in Merseyside, or on-site at your own premises. Built for people who are first on scene — at sea, offshore, at events or in remote workplaces.
- Duration
- 5 days
- Level
- Level 3 (RQF)
- Location
- Merseyside / on-site
- Price
- On enquiry
What the FREC 3 course covers
Day 2 — Airway, breathing and resuscitation
Airway management with adjuncts, oxygen therapy and suction, basic and intermediate life support, AED use, choking and drowning.
Day 3 — Circulation and trauma
Catastrophic haemorrhage control, tourniquets and haemostatic dressings, shock, chest injuries, fractures, immobilisation and burns.
Day 4 — Medical emergencies
Cardiac and respiratory conditions, stroke, seizures, diabetic emergencies, anaphylaxis, poisoning, sepsis recognition and heat and cold injury.
Day 5 — Assessment
Practical scenario assessments, basic and intermediate life support assessments, plus the multiple-choice theory paper.
Entry requirements and assessment
You need to be at least 17 years old on the first day of the course and able to understand and communicate in English. No prior medical qualification is required. Assessment is continuous throughout the week, with practical scenarios, basic and intermediate life support assessments and a multiple-choice theory paper on the final day. Successful candidates receive the Qualsafe Awards Level 3 Certificate in First Response Emergency Care (RQF), valid for three years.
Dates, pricing and delivery
Course dates
FREC 3 runs regularly through the year at our Merseyside training centre. Tell us the month that suits you and we will confirm the next available cohort, usually within one working day.
Pricing
Per-learner pricing includes registration, Qualsafe certification and all course materials. Group and on-site rates are quoted per booking — ask for a quote and we will price the whole team.
On-site delivery
We deliver FREC 3 at your own premises anywhere in the North West, bringing manikins, AED trainers, oxygen kit and trauma consumables with us. You provide a room with floor space; we do the rest.
Qualsafe accreditation
CM Marine is a Qualsafe Awards approved centre. Your certificate is issued by Qualsafe, sits on the Regulated Qualifications Framework at Level 3, and is recognised UK-wide by employers, event organisers and enforcement bodies.
FREC 3 questions, answered
What is a FREC 3 course?
FREC 3 is the Qualsafe Awards Level 3 Certificate in First Response Emergency Care. It is a regulated pre-hospital care qualification for people who may be the first clinical responder at an incident — event medics, security teams, offshore and marine crew, remote workers and those progressing towards an ambulance service career.
How long is the FREC 3 course?
The CM Marine FREC 3 course runs over 5 days of classroom and practical training, including continuous assessment and end-of-course practical and written assessments.
What are the entry requirements for FREC 3?
You must be at least 17 years old on the first day of the course and have a good standard of spoken and written English. No previous medical qualification is required, although prior first aid experience is helpful.
How long is FREC 3 valid for?
The FREC 3 qualification is valid for 3 years. Qualsafe recommends annual refresher training, and you will need to requalify before the certificate expires.
Does FREC 3 lead on to FREC 4?
Yes. FREC 3 is the required prerequisite for the Level 4 First Response Emergency Care qualification, which extends your scope of practice for enhanced pre-hospital care roles.