Can I Be Sued for Doing First Aid in the UK? 

Short answer: No — In the UK, there has never been a successful case of a first aider being sued for trying to help. The Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism (SARAH) Act 2015 was introduced to further reassure people who step in during an emergency. 

Why Acting Matters 

In many emergencies, doing nothing is far more dangerous than acting: 
 
Brain damage can begin after 5 minutes without breathing 
Severe bleeding can be fatal in 2–3 minutes 
Average Category 1 ambulance response times are over 8 minutes 
 
Your actions in those first minutes can make the difference between life and death. 

The SARAH Act 2015 Explained 

The SARAH Act exists to stop people hesitating because of fear of legal consequences. 
 
In practice: 
You would only risk legal action if you acted maliciously or dangerously recklessly 
If you act reasonably, using the skills and resources you have, you are protected 
 
Put simply: 
If you do your best to help, the law supports you. 

Key Point: No First Aider Has Been Successfully Sued in the UK 

No. Even before the SARAH Act, there were no successful claims against first aiders acting in good faith. The law simply makes this protection clearer. 

Is basic first aid legally safe to perform? 

Yes. Skills such as: 
 
CPR 
AED use 
Choking treatment 
Recovery position 
 
Are fully protected when carried out in good faith. 

What About Advanced First Aid Skills 

More advanced interventions (for example oxygen, Entonox, advanced airway or spinal management) may require appropriate insurance if you are trained and using them in a professional or instructor role. 
 
Many employers already provide broader cover than people realise — it’s worth checking first. 
If personal cover is needed, specialist insurers offer affordable policies for trained professionals. 
 
If you need personal cover, providers like Hiscox via Balens offer affordable first aid instructor insurance (starting around £102/year). 
 
(Note: no affiliation, just what I currently use.) 
Outdoor First Aid Traction Splint
 
 
“I had the pleasure of renewing my Level 3 Outdoor First Aid Certificate with army veteran and highly skilled medic, Bruce Petty from Invenio Training at Chiltern Nature Reserve in High Wycombe. 
 
Incredible delivery, personable, realistic and entertaining. I walked away confident in my abilities and inspired, cannot recommend enough!” 
Soulsbree 
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