For all those interested - I PASSED !
I was supposed to be taking my HSE 1st aid at work in December , but it was put off after difficulties with the weather ( getting there ). I took it today , and it was easy !( fortunately ).
It is a very worthwhile course for anyone who is thinking of taking it.

Jonathan.

Congratulations for passing Jonathon! How did you train for this, and was the exam complicated?!

Hi Lis , ( and anonymous - other thread )
I found the HSE course in a leaflet for a local college , and took it as a night course over 12 weeks. The usual way of taking the course is over 3-4 full days with the exam at the end.
There is a theory ( e.g. 20 questions ) and a practical side to the exam.
In the practical , they will give you a situation ( e.g. someone has fallen off their horse and is unconcious , not breathing etc. ) and you have to deal with it. They assess your reactions , giving CPR and placing the casualty in the recovery position. You are also asked to assess the situation and bandage / apply a sling etc. as required and there are further theory questions ( which were harder than the written paper ). This may not be the format everywhere , but was how we did it.
The exam didnt take too long , and I was too busy doing it to bother about being too nervous. You do need to learn some theory for the exam as well as the practical side , but it is well worth it.

Jonathan.

Well done Jonathan, good to hear you passed, was it really as bad as you expected?

Ready to move on to the next bit now?

The BHS in conjunction with first aid training organisations in England and Wales (negotiations are under way in Ireland) has developed a one-day, equine specific first aid course. This is ideal for instructors, riders and examiners and it qualifies you for the BHS Register of Instructors. The HSE First Aid at Work certificate is still the one that employers or yard managers should hold. Either certificate qualifies you for the Register. The competitive disciplines are keen to get their trainers to attend these courses.
The one day course is repeated annually, there is an examination at the end of the day, generic first aid will be taught in the morning and equine specific first aid in the afternoon. The cost for the one day course is very reasonable. For more details regarding venues and dates, please contact Lisa Dixon at the BHS.