How we decide what level of cover you need

These are some of the factors we will consider when looking at a quote for your event:

  • Previous event data. For example, whether you've run the event before, and the previous casualty rates
  • The type of event. For example, whether it’s a classical music concert or a rugby match
  • Whether it is indoors or outdoors, and the type of venue
  • Seated or standing audience
  • Audience profile. For example, where it's families, predominantly young people, or rival factions
  • Size of audience (a rough estimation of what you would need might be 2 first aiders per 1000 people)
  • The kind of activity being carried out and whether it is high risk
  • Time of year (this is particularly relevant to outdoor events)

You will also need to provide us with a risk assessment of your event. You can find out more on how to create a risk assessment on the Health and Safety Executive's website

Event guidelines

When considering what medical cover is right for your event, there are many guidelines out there to follow which might appear confusing. This is why we’ve put together a comprehensive list of event guidelines. As experts in the field with decades of experience, you can trust us to adhere to all the relevant industry guidelines in planning safe cover for your event. 

The main ones we use are the Purple Guide for event cover, and the Green Guide, which covers safety at sports grounds.

Other event guidelines:

Athletic events and road races

For all road races, a minimum Basic Life Support plus AED must be able to be delivered to a casualty at any point in the race within 8 minutes. We offer a range of options, such as cycle responders, off-road ambulances and vehicles, to cover this requirement.

If your event has UK Athletics Insurance, you will need to meet their standards of medical cover at events. You can check this via their website: UK Athletics Code of Practice. Their website also offers useful advice for completing risk assessments on athletics events.

Motorsport Association

Autocycle Union

Horse events

Cycling events

Rugby events

Other events

Book us to cover your event

Tell us what you need and we'll get back to you within seven working days.

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More information

Completing our online booking form for event first aid cover

Find out what information we need from you, and next steps for confirming your booking.

Event first aid cover costs

Find out more about the costs of our event first aid cover, and whether you qualify for our charity discount.

What we offer with our event first aid cover

As an organisation providing first aid since 1877, we have a wealth of experience to deliver an excellent service at your event.

Organise first aid cover for your event

Complete the online enquiry form and we'll contact you within seven working days.

Contact us

Map of regions

If you're not sure what type of event first aid cover you need, our regional events teams would be happy to discuss your options. 

North

Counties: Northumbria, Durham, North Yorkshire and Teesside, South and West Yorkshire, Humberside, Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire

Email: north-events@sja.org.uk

London and South

Counties: London, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Kent, Sussex, Isle of Wight

Email: south-events@sja.org.uk

East

Counties: Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Rutland, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex

Email: east-events@sja.org.uk

West

Counties: Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Avon, Dorset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Shropshire, West Midlands, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire

Email: west-events@sja.org.uk

Events outside of England

Please contact one of our sister charities for event cover outside of England: