Event medical cover is a minefield. Vastly varying costs from a number of providers make it difficult to choose the correct plan for your event. Should you just go with the cheapest? One cost is less, but there are more staff. Is this good value?
We’ve put together this easy guide on the types of staff you might find across the event medical sector.
We’re always wary of the term ‘medic’, its widely used by companies that don’t wish to disclose the qualification of their staff, usually because they don’t hold a recognised qualification or they want their staff to sound more qualified than they actually are.
1. FREC 3 First Responder
- Level: Basic
- Skills: A FREC 3 or First Responder is trained to provide initial emergency care at the scene of an incident. They can assess and stabilise patients, provide basic life support (e.g., CPR, oxygen, wound care), and handle situations like minor injuries or medical emergencies. They are often the first to arrive and can manage an emergency until more advanced help arrives.
2. FREC 4 Emergency Care Assistant
- Level: Intermediate
- Skills: A FREC 4, or Emergency Care Assistant has more advanced skills than a FREC 3. They can provide more complex care, like administering certain medications and performing basic diagnostic assessments. They also assist paramedics and are often capable of transporting patients. They are trained to manage a wider range of emergencies, from minor to more serious medical situations.
3. Ambulance Technician
- Level: Advanced
- Skills: An ambulance technician at FREUC 5 or AAP level has extensive training in pre-hospital care, including more advanced medical procedures and techniques. They can administer medications, assist in advanced life support, and manage critical patients in transit. They have a deeper understanding of emergency medicine and may work alongside paramedics or in some cases, lead patient care in the field.
4. Paramedic
- Level: Highly Advanced
- Skills: Paramedics are highly skilled healthcare professionals with extensive training in emergency medical care. They can assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of serious conditions, including life-threatening emergencies. They are trained in advanced life support, such as using defibrillators, airway management, intravenous fluids, and administering drugs. Paramedics often lead patient care in emergencies and are trained to work independently in the field.
5. Doctor
- Level: Highest
- Skills: Doctors have the highest level of medical training and are licensed to diagnose, treat, and manage all types of medical conditions. In an emergency, a doctor can perform complex procedures, prescribe a wide range of treatments, and provide long-term medical care. They have a deep understanding of human physiology, disease, and treatments, and their training includes medical school and years of specialisation. Doctors may work in hospitals or other medical settings but can also provide emergency care.
Summary of Key Differences:
- FREC 3: Basic care (e.g., CPR, first aid, oxygen).
- FREC 4: More advanced care (e.g., medication, monitoring, assisting paramedics).
- Ambulance Technician (FREUC 5): Skilled in pre-hospital care with advanced techniques and patient stabilisation.
- Paramedic: Highly trained in emergency medical assessment, treatment, and advanced life support.
- Doctor: Highest level of care, with full medical training to diagnose, treat, and manage a wide variety of medical conditions and emergencies.
The key difference is the depth of training and scope of care, with FREC 3 being basic first response and doctors having the broadest medical expertise across all types of conditions and treatments.
