Basic First Aid (OFA Level 1)
Our 1-day Basic First Aid course provides essential hands-on training for managing workplace emergencies, including cardiac arrest, choking, bleeding, and injuries. This WorkSafeBC-certified course equips you with the skills needed to respond effectively and confidently in emergency situations, leading to OFA 1 attendant certification.
Course Overview - Basic First Aid (OFA-1)
Gain essential knowledge of basic first aid techniques with our Basic First Aid (formerly OFA Level 1) course. Designed to meet WorkSafeBC standards, this course is ideal for individuals who need workplace first aid skills. You’ll learn key techniques and how to handle life-threatening situations, such as cardiac arrest, severe bleeding, choking, and spinal injuries—skills that could save someone’s life before EMS arrives.
Our Basic First Aid course covers these essential areas:
- Cardiac arrest response and CPR techniques
- Choking and other airway emergencies
- Severe bleeding control and proper bandage application
- Fracture, burn, and scald management, including cooling and treating burns
- Basic CPR, including 30 compressions and two rescue breaths for adults and children
Led by experienced instructors, this course emphasizes hands-on practice and real-world scenarios. You’ll build muscle memory, learning CPR and other first aid techniques like how to stop bleeding and apply a splint—knowledge that could make a critical difference in a medical emergency.
Join a Basic First Aid Course!
Why Choose This First Aid Training?
- Workplace Ready: Meets WorkSafeBC standards, equipping you with the practical skills needed to handle first aid situations at work.
- Hands-On Skills: Learn to protect your hands, wear gloves, and manage bodily fluids when helping an injured or ill person.
- Expert Instruction: Our professionals bring real-world emergency medical experience, covering essential topics such as first aid kit use, gauze application, and compression techniques.
- Certification: Receive a Basic First Aid certificate, recognized by WorkSafeBC and valid for 3 years.
Course Duration:
This 1-day course provides immediate care skills, covering basic first aid for cardiac issues, injuries, bleeding, and other medical situations, until professional help arrives. You’ll learn to check for breathing, tilt their head to open the airway, and handle injuries safely.
Recertification Option:
Please note that everyone taking this course must complete the full 1-day training, as no shorter recertification is available. The full course ensures that you’re up to date with WorkSafeBC standards and the latest first aid basics, such as managing broken bones, burns, and using an automated external defibrillator (AED).
Course Details
Basic First Aid Course Content
- 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
Training Schedules & Locations
VictoriaVictoria - Downtown VancouverVancouver DuncanDuncan (300 Brae Road) NanaimoNanaimo Victoria-TILLICUMVictoria - Tillicum Centre BurnabyBurnabyMaterials
The Basic First Aid (OFA 1) course includes the following materials:
- WorkSafeBC Basic First Aid 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) 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.