Basic First Aid (Emergency/OFA 1)
Gain the knowledge and skills to respond confidently in emergencies at home or in the workplace with our Basic First Aid (formerly OFA Level 1) or equivalent course. Designed to meet WorkSafeBC standards, this course teaches practical first aid instructions for situations like cardiac arrest, severe bleeding, choking, and more. You’ll be equipped with life-saving techniques that can mean the difference between life and death.
Course Overview – Basic First Aid (OFA-1)
The Basic First Aid course (formerly OFA Level 1) is recognized by WorkSafeBC as the minimum workplace first aid training requirement in BC.
WorkSafeBC Basic First Aid course – issued directly under WorkSafeBC.
Emergency First Aid with CPR C – this course is equivalent to WorkSafeBC Basic First Aid and fully accepted by WorkSafeBC for workplace requirements.
Gain the knowledge and skills to respond confidently in emergencies at home or in the workplace with our Basic First Aid (formerly OFA Level 1) course. Designed to meet WorkSafeBC standards, this course teaches practical first aid instructions for situations like cardiac arrest, severe bleeding, choking, and more. You’ll be equipped with life-saving techniques that can mean the difference between life and death.
Our Basic First Aid course covers essential topics, including:
- Cardiac Arrest Response and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): Learn CPR techniques, including 30 chest compressions and rescue breaths, to keep blood circulating to the brain.
- Choking and Airway Management: Understand steps to clear blocked airways, with instructions like the Heimlich maneuver and mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths.
- Severe Bleeding Control: Learn to apply pressure, protect your hands, and use bandages from a first aid kit to control bleeding.
- Fractures, Burns, and Scald Management: Gain basic skills to handle fractures, electric shock, and burns, providing essential aid until emergency services arrive.
- Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Use: Get familiar with using an AED, a tool that can restore responsiveness in cardiac emergencies.
Guided by experienced instructors, this course emphasizes hands-on first aid techniques, building muscle memory and confidence for real-world emergency situations. You’ll leave with knowledge of first aid steps that could save someone’s life.
Join the Basic First Aid Training!
Why Choose This Basic First Aid Training?
- Workplace Ready: Meets WorkSafeBC requirements, equipping you to perform first aid in workplace settings with confidence.
- Hands-On Skills: Train in essential techniques like rescue breathing, chest compressions, and placing an injured or ill person in the recovery position to ensure blood reaches the brain.
- Expert Instruction: Learn from professionals with real-world experience in emergency services, helping you feel ready to assist someone who isn’t breathing or has suffered a severe allergic reaction.
- Certification: Earn a Basic First Aid certificate, valid for 3 years and recognized by WorkSafeBC, with re-certification available.
Course Format
This blended course combines:
4 hours online learning (self-paced)
4.5 hours in person (practical skills and scenarios)
Certification
Successful course participants will receive either a WorkSafeBC Basic First Aid certificate or a Canadian Red Cross Emergency First Aid with CPR/AED Level A (CSA Z1210-17 - Basic) certification. 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 Basic First Aid requirements.
Recertification
To recertify, you must re-take the full course - there is no shorter recertification course available. Taking the full course also ensures that you're up-to-date on latest standards and first aid best practices.
WorkSafeBC Regulatory Updates
The Basic First Aid course replaces the former OFA Level 1 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
Basic First Aid Course Content
This course 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 Basic First Aid, Intermediate First Aid, and Advanced First Aid. 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 48 hour First Responder course and the more advanced 120 Hour Emergency Medical Responder.
What is "Basic First Aid - CSA"?
Basic First Aid - CSA is an 8 hour course aimed at meeting the Canadian Standard for preparing workers to be first aid attendants in relatively low risk environments where a hospital is close by. 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 Basic First Aid, formerly known as OFA 1.
What is the difference between Basic First Aid and Intermediate First Aid?
Basic First Aid 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. Intermediate First Aid is a 2 day course geared toward training First Aid attendants who might be responsible for a larger number of workers or more dangerous job sites.
Materials
The CSA Basic First Aid (OFA 1 Equivalent) course includes the following materials:
WorkSafeBC Basic First Aid Participant Guide (hard copy)
OR
- Red Cross Comprehensive Guide to First Aid (pdf)
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 (Emergency/OFA 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.