Basic First Aid (OFA Level 1) or Equivalent
A basic, hands-on workplace first aid course leading to OFA 1 attendant certification.
Upcoming Changes to First Aid Equivalency – Important Notice - Oct 10, 2024
As of today, the current first aid guidelines have not been finalized by WorkSafeBC and the Red Cross. This means that the previous equivalencies between OFA1, Emergency First Aid, and Standard First Aid certifications remains valid through to their expiration date if received prior to November 1st.
After November 1st, however, there is no confirmed agreement on the new equivalencies. We are expecting that:
• Emergency First Aid will be equivalent to Basic First Aid.
• Standard First Aid will be equivalent to Intermediate First Aid.
Please note that these changes are not yet legislation. We will continue to update you as more information becomes available.
Course Description - Basic First Aid (OFA-1)
The WorkSafeBC Occupational First Aid Level 1 course is designed to teach you how to respond to the most common and most life-threatening workplace first aid emergencies, including CPR, bleeding, shock, and sudden medical emergencies. WorkSafeBC has authorized Alert First-Aid to teach the Occupational First Aid Level 1 program, and at the end of the course, successful candidates will be recognized by WorkSafeBC as Occupational First Aid Level 1 attendants.
This is a hands-on course with knowledgeable and friendly instructors, and is an excellent addition to anyone's resume.
Course Details
Topics Covered
Occupational First Aid Level 1 includes:
- Conducting a Scene Assessment
- Activating the Worksite Emergency Plan
- Maintaining Support of the Head and Neck
- Opening and Maintaining the Airway
- Assessing for Breathing
- Clearing an Obstructed Airway
- Breathing for a Worker with a Pocket Mask
- Performing CPR and AED
- Assessing Skin Condition – Recognizing Shock
- Conducting an RBS
- Controlling Bleeding
FAQs
What are the different levels of first aid?
This question is complicated since there are a number of different types of first aid courses. For Occupational First Aid, there are 3 levels of first aid, simply named OFA Level 1, OFA Level 2, and OFA Level 3. If you work in a marine environment and are required by Transport Canada to be certified in first aid, then there is Marine Basic First Aid and Marine Advanced First Aid. For first aid for those responsible for people in the community there is Emergency First Aid and Standard First Aid. If you are caring specifically for children, Emergency Childcare First Aid is probably the best fit. If you are interested in first for the outdoors or remote situations (or are required to take first aid as an outdoor guide) then there is the 20 hour Remote First Aid, or more advanced 40 hour Wilderness First Aid. There is also an 80 hour Wilderness First Responder course for professional responders responding to remote emergencies. For the professional responders there is also the 40 hour First Responder course and the more advanced Emergency Medical Responder.
What is Occupational first aid Level 1?
Occupational First Aid Level 1 (OFA 1) is an 8 hour course that prepares workers to be first aid attendants in relatively low risk environments where a hospital is close by. This course is designed by Worksafe BC and focuses specifically on caring for injured coworkers. Participants will learn basic first aid skills and knowledge that are essential for handling life threatening emergencies, as well as handling more common minor injuries that can happen in the workplace. Red Cross Emergency First Aid, and Red Cross Standard First Aid are now officially recognized by Worksafe BC as equivalent to OFA 1.
What is the difference between Level 1 and 2 first aid?
Worksafe BC OFA Level 1 is a one day course meant to train a First Aid attendant in the basic skills necessary to provide first aid in low-risk environments, or for a smaller number of workers. Level 2 however is a 5 day intensive course geared toward training First Aid attendants who might be responsible for a large number of workers and more dangerous job sites. OFA Level 2 also involves much more rigorous practical skills testing to make sure that everyone who is certified has demonstrated that they are ready to put their first aid skills into action when a real emergency happens on the job
Materials
The Occupational First Aid Level 1 course includes the following materials:
- WorkSafeBC Occupational First Aid Level 1 Participant Guide (hard copy)
Who should take this course?
- Job seekers
- Occupational First Aid Level 1 attendants
- Construction
- Roofing
- Office
- Retail
Looking for a group class?
If you have a group of people and would like us to come to you to teach a
Basic First Aid (OFA Level 1) or Equivalent 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.