31060 **Consent 2026 mandated vid (Replaces 27821)

There is an assumption that everyone who needs help wants it. That is not always true. In order to give first aid you must have permission. In the medical field, permission is called consent. In the UK, there are three key types of consent for administering first aid: informed consent, expressed consent, and implied consent. These ensure that first aid is given legally and ethically, especially in settings with vulnerable people, such as the very young and the elderly.

Informed Consent

This is when a person (or their parent or legal guardian, in the case of children) is fully aware of the first aid procedures that may be administered and the reasons behind them.

Expressed Consent

This is when a person actively agrees to receive first aid, either verbally or in writing.

Implied Consent

Implied consent applies in situations where someone cannot give explicit consent due to age, incapacity, or the nature of the emergency. For example, if a casualty is unconscious or unable to understand, it is assumed they would want help if they could request it