Intermediate First Aid (Standard/OFA 2)
This two-day Intermediate First Aid course meets WorkSafeBC training requirements for Level 2 first aid attendants in the workplace. The Intermediate First Aid (OFA Level 2) course is designed to provide essential first aid skills for individuals working in high-risk industries. Combining both theoretical knowledge and hands-on practical training, this course ensures participants can confidently apply their skills in real-world situations.
Course Overview – Intermediate First Aid (OFA-2)
The Intermediate First Aid course (formerly OFA Level 2) is recognized by WorkSafeBC as the a moderate risk workplace first aid training in BC.
At Alert First Aid, this training may be offered in one of two ways:
WorkSafeBC Intermediate First Aid course – issued directly under WorkSafeBC.
Standard First Aid with CPR C – this course is equivalent to WorkSafeBC Basic First Aid and fully accepted by WorkSafeBC for workplace requirements.
Both options cover the same core skills and result in certification valid for 3 years. Which version is run depends on scheduling and class demand, but rest assured, your certification will meet all WorkSafeBC Intermediate First Aid requirements.
Join A Intermediate First Aid Course!
Is This Intermediate First Aid Course Right for You?
- Secure Employment: This course is a critical requirement for many industries, ensuring that workers are equipped to manage emergency situations at worksites, and it’s ideal for companies aiming to meet their WorkSafeBC requirements. Having staff trained in Intermediate First Aid demonstrates a commitment to workplace safety and preparedness.
- Comprehensive Skills Training: Participants will learn life-saving first aid techniques such as patient assessment, managing unresponsive patients, CPR and AED use, as well as handling burns, fractures, and respiratory distress. This 14-hour course (which includes in-class and hands-on training) is designed to prepare participants for a range of emergencies they may encounter on the job.
Certification
Successful course participants will receive either a WorkSafeBC Intermediate First Aid certificate or a Canadian Red Cross Intermediate First Aid with CPR/AED Level A (CSA Z120-17 - Intermediate) certification.
Recertification
To recertify, you must either re-take the full course or take the Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid Recertification course before your certificate expires.
WorkSafeBC Regulatory Updates
The Intermediate First Aid course replaces the former OFA Level 2 program and is now aligned with updated CSA standards. This change ensures that the curriculum meets the latest requirements under WorkSafeBC regulations, providing participants with more comprehensive training to better handle medical emergencies in the workplace. The course continues to deliver the same high-quality instruction while incorporating important updates to reflect modern workplace safety needs.
For detailed information on these amendments, visit the following pages on WorkSafeBC's website:
• Preliminary OHS Guidelines for Part 3 – Occupational First Aid
• Backgrounder: Occupational first aid regulatory changes
• First aid requirements (web page)
Course Details
Intermediate First Aid Course Content:
- Conduct a scene assessment
- Activate the workplace emergency response procedures
- Maintain support of the head and neck, initially and with a co-worker
- Open the airway with an airway opening maneuver (head-tilt chin-lift)
- Maintain an airway opening maneuver, instruct, and have a co-worker maintain (hold the head-tilt chin-lift)
- Assess for breathing
- Clear an obstructed airway
- Breathe for a worker with a pocket mask
- Perform CPR
- Deploy an AED
- Assess skin condition, and recognize shock
- Conduct a rapid body survey (RBS)
Control bleeding with direct pressure, dressings and bandages and a tourniquet
FAQs
Are OFA Level 2 courses changing in BC?
First aid certification levels and first aid kit contents are being aligned with Canadian Standards Association standards. Level 1, 2, and 3 certificates and kits will become basic, intermediate, and advanced, respectively. The instruction time for the new intermediate (previously Level 2) first aid course is changing from five days to two days.
How is the Intermediate First Aid course different from Basic (OFA Level 1) First Aid?
While OFA Level 1 is a one-day course designed for low-risk workplaces, the Intermediate First Aid course (formerly OFA Level 2) is a 5-day intensive course. It provides lifesaving first aid skills geared toward training workplace first aid attendants in larger or urban workplaces, where there may be a greater number of workers and more complex safety requirements.
Is the OFA Level 2 course still available?
The OFA Level 2 program has been replaced by the Intermediate First Aid course, which meets updated WorkSafeBC requirements. This intermediate-level course is designed to provide comprehensive occupational first aid training for urban first aid attendants and those responsible for a large number of workers.
What certification do I receive after completing the Intermediate First Aid course?
Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a WorkSafeBC First Aid Attendant certification. This attendant certification is valid for 3 years and certifies you as a Level 2 First Aid Attendant, ready to handle workplace emergencies.
What are the prerequisites for enrolling in the Intermediate First Aid course?
There are no prerequisites for the Intermediate First Aid (OFA Level 2) course. However, participants are encouraged to review the course materials and practice before class to be fully prepared for the intensive training.
How does this course compare to Advanced First Aid (OFA Level 3)?
OFA Level 3 is a more advanced, longer course, typically covering 70 hours of training, while the Intermediate First Aid (OFA Level 2) course is a 5-day intensive course focused on providing the essential skills needed for urban workplaces and larger work environments.
What are the key benefits of completing the Intermediate First Aid course?
This workplace first aid course leads to attendant certification, equipping participants with lifesaving first aid skills that meet WorkSafeBC requirements. It’s designed to help first aid attendants manage safety in more complex workplace environments and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
Training Schedules & Locations
Victoria Victoria - Downtown Vancouver Vancouver - Kingsway Nanaimo Nanaimo - Downtown Burnaby Burnaby - Lougheed Mall Duncan Duncan - Brae RoadMaterials
The Intermediate First Aid course includes the following materials:
WorkSafeBC Intermediate First Aid Participant Guide (hard copy)
OR
- Red Cross Comprehensive Guide to First Aid (pdf)
Looking for a group class?
If you have a group of people and would like us to come to you to teach a
Intermediate First Aid (Standard/OFA 2) course, we offer this course in the following locations:
Victoria | Langford | Esquimalt | Sooke | Cobble Hill | Mill Bay | Duncan | Lake Cowichan | Cedar | Ladysmith | Nanaimo | Parksville | Qualicum Beach | Port Alberni | Coombs | Parksville | Campbell River | Saltspring Island | Pender Island | Powell River | Gabriola Isand | Burnaby | Coquitlam | Delta | Langley | Maple Ridge | New Westminster | North Vancouver | Pitt Meadows | Port Moody | Richmond | Surrey | Vancouver | West Vancouver | White Rock | Langley |
Give us a call at 1.866.282.5378, or send us an email at info@alertfirstaid.com to arrange a group course.