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South Africa's Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 (General Safety Regulations, Regulation 3) requires employers with more than 10 employees to appoint at least one trained first-aider during working hours, at a ratio of one per 50 in hazardous workplaces and one per 100 in offices and shops. First-aiders must hold a valid certificate of competency from an approved provider, valid for 3 years.

South Africa's Children's Act No. 38 of 2005 and the 2010 General Regulations (Annexure B norms and standards for partial care / ECD facilities) require every facility's policies to provide for staff training in first aid and emergencies, plus a first-aid kit. The norms set no fixed minimum number of certified staff, but the duty to train is explicit.

South Africa has no dedicated Good Samaritan Act and no general duty to rescue under its mixed Roman-Dutch and common-law system, though a legal duty to act can arise case-by-case under the boni mores test set out in Minister van Polisie v Ewels 1975 (3) SA 590 (A). A rescuer who intervenes is judged by a reasonable-rescuer standard with no statutory immunity.

In South Africa nurses and midwives are regulated by the South African Nursing Council under the Nursing Act 2005, which provides for continuing professional development toward the Annual Practising Certificate at a minimum of 15 CPD points per year. Accredited BLS/PALS resuscitation courses count toward these CPD points, though implementation is being phased in and not yet linked to APC renewal as of 2025/2026.

In South Africa's home-based, community and residential care settings (old-age homes), care-sector employers require care workers to hold basic first-aid training, which is a formal NQF Level 2 unit standard (SAQA US 12483) embedded in HWSETA home-based-care qualifications. A recognized, up-to-date certificate — typically valid two to three years — meets this requirement and must be renewed periodically.

In South Africa foster care is governed by the Children's Act 38 of 2005 and the General Regulations regarding Children 2010, under which only a person screened as fit and proper by a designated social worker and who undergoes training may be approved by a children's court. First aid is not named as a stand-alone statute, but a current first-aid and CPR certificate from a recognized organization is commonly expected.

Online CPR and first aid training is recognized in South Africa: the regulation requires a first-aider trained by an approved provider but does not prescribe the delivery mode, so online theory combined with a practical assessment is accepted. Certification is valid for 3 years and courses are built on the ILCOR 2025 Consensus on Science.