Stuck figuring out which level of first aid you need? Here at Link2Life, we provide 4 distinct levels:
- Emergency First Aid with CPR-A or C + AED, 6.5-8 hrs
- Emergency First Aid Childcare with CPR-C and AED, 8-9 hours
- Standard First Aid with CPR-C + AED, ~ 16 hrs
- Occupational First Aid Level 1 with CPR-A/C + AED, 8 hrs
This level of first aid is recommended or required for the following individuals:
Fitness professionals, health care workers/students, and those in the line of childcare. Further broken down, individuals who should take the class include dental assistants, pharmacists, personal trainers, group fitness instructors, camp leaders and teachers.
Course content includes:
- Preparing to respond
- The EMS system
- Airway emergencies
- Breathing and circulation emergencies
- First aid for respiratory and cardiac arrest
- Wound care
- CPR-A + basic AED training
…Upgrade to CPR-C?
As CPR level A is CPR for adults only, it is generally recommended that you upgrade to CPR level C if you work with children or people of all ages.
The full 8-hour Emergency First Aid with CPR class is a recognized equivalent to the WorkSafeBC Occupational First Aid Level 1 class.
This level of first aid is recommended or required for the following individuals:
Camp counselors, day camp leaders, daycare staff, teachers, parents, and anyone who works with or lives with children should take this certification class.
Course content includes everything in EFA, with the addition of a childcare-specific component.
…Upgrade to CPR-C?
As CPR level B is CPR for infants only, it is generally recommended that you upgrade to CPR level C if you work with children or people of all ages.
Those interested in lifeguard training (NLS), camp leaders, registered massage therapists, and for students in nursing, physiotherapy and human kinetics programs.
Course content includes everything included in EFA, with coverage on the additional topics:
- Head and spine injuries
- Bone, muscle and joint injuries
- Sudden medical emergencies
- Environmental emergencies
- Poisons
- Secondary Emergencies
- CPR-C + basic AED training
…Upgrade for CPR-HCP?
As HCP stands for Health Care Provider, the CPR-HCP upgrade is recommended for those working in the health care field – for example, those is nursing and naturopathic medicine.
Occupational First Aid Level 1 is a WorkSafeBC approved course. As such, it is a course that is recommended for those who mainly deal with work colleagues rather than patrons or clients. This introductory first aid course helps workers identify life threatening and common emergencies in the workplace. Upon successful completion the student will be considered a level 1 Occupational First Aid Attendant in British Columbia.
Course content includes:
Participants will use the Priority Action Approach with appropriate Critical Interventions to deal with and document the following first aid emergencies according to the Occupational First Aid Level 1 Training Manual:
- Airway management with C-spine control for conscious patients and patients with a decreased level of consciousness
- Soft tissue injuries including eye injuries and burns
- Sprains and strains
- Respiratory emergencies including asthma and anaphylactic shock
- Circulatory emergencies including stroke and heart attack
- Diabetic emergencies, poisoning, seizures, and fainting
- First Aid for Respiratory and Cardiac Arrest
- How to fill out a First Aid Record
- MSDS sheets
- Worksafe regulations and OFAA roles and responsibilities
- CPR-A + basic AED training
Still confused? Contact us today for help in figuring out your best option!
I need an OFA level 1 for my job in BC, but I already have Standard First Aid (CSA Intermediate) – Level C CPR and AED from St. Johns Ambulance in Alberta. Are these equivalent?
Hi Jada,
If you had taken your SFA class in BC it would have been WorkSafeBC OFA Level 1 equivalent, but as it is from Alberta, I unfortunately do not believe it is. You are welcome to take a look at the WorkSafeBC website for the equivalencies: https://www.worksafebc.com/en/health-safety/create-manage/first-aid-requirements/certificates-accepted-in-bc
Kind regards,
Debra
The job I’m looking at requires OFA 3, what would the equivalent for Red Cross? I’m not sure whether OSFA or OEFA would work for this requirement.
Hi Milly,
So Link2Life unfortunately does not provide OFA Level 3 equivalent courses. I would recommend just searching OFA Level 3 in your preferred web browser for a class.
Kind regards,
Debra
I require to have Standard First Aid and CPR certificate for my work. I had the Occupational First Aid Level 1 certification, are these equivalent to eachother?
Hi Raquel,
So unfortunately while Standard First Aid with CPR-C/AED is a recognized equivalent to WorkSafeBC OFA Level 1 by most agencies, no, if you have an OFA certificate this is not considered equivalent to Standard First Aid with CPR-C/AED. If you are interested in attending an SFA class, please find all our upcoming class dates here: https://link2life.ca/product/standard-first-aid-with-cpr-c-aed/
Kind regards,
Debra
Hi,
I’m looking at a job posting that requires OFA level 1. I am certified SFA level 1 with CPR-C and AED from St Mark James Training. Do I need to do additional training? or does SFA meet the requirements?
Thanks!
Hi Kiera,
You can find a list of all approved OFA Level 1 classes here: https://www.worksafebc.com/en/health-safety/create-manage/first-aid-requirements/certificates-accepted-in-bc
Unfortunately I do not believe St Mark James meets this requirement.
Kind regards,
Debra
Is OFA 3 equivalent to SFA? I’m a lifeguard and have just gotten certified with work safe BC, but my SFA is expired. My employer is wondering if the SFA cert comes with the OFA 3 cert?
Hi Jade,
Thank you for the question. Now, while they are not considered equivalent, OFA Level 3 would generally be considered to be a higher level of certification than SFA. However, while the first aid content you cover in an OFA Level 3 class is beyond what you learn in a SFA class, SFA includes CPR level C (adults, infants + children), whereas OFA Level 3 only provides CPR level A (adults only). Depending on who you are lifeguarding with, you may just be able to get away then with taking a CPR level C class, but I would check in with them prior to registering in case they prefer you to take the whole Standard First Aid with CPR-C.
Let me know if you have any further questions!
Kind regards,
Debra
I am required to to have an OFA, will the EFA -C be enough or will I required an additional course.
Hi Sean,
Granted you attend a full certification EFA with CPR-C class, yes, this class is now considered equivalent to WorkSafeBC OFA Level 1.
Kind regards,
Debra
Good day. I am going to be taking the First Aid & CPR Level C belended course. When booking my training I need EFA and SFA. On the calander there are both courses available in the same day. But what is confusing me is EFA is 9am-12pm and SFA is 9am-4pm. Can I book and do both in the same day or do I book them separate?
Hi Tayler,
If you require a Standard First Aid with CPR class, please note it includes the content in an Emergency First Aid with CPR class. Feel free to register here: https://link2life.ca/product/standard-first-aid-with-cpr-c-aed/
Kind regards,
Debra
Is the online component flexible to take anytime before your course? Do you have to do it in one sitting?
Once you register and make payment, the online component will be emailed to you within 48 hours to complete anytime before the course.
The online component can be completed in one sitting or multiple, whichever works best for you.
Kind regards,
Debra
Is OFA level 3 a higher certification than standard first aid?
Hi Lachlan,
While the OFA Level 3 class is more detailed than Standard First Aid, you cannot use an OFA Level 3 certification to attend a SFA recertification class. The classes would not be considered equivalent.
Kind regards,
Link2Life
Could you please tell me what OFA level 2 would come out first aid wise for the Red Cross. I’m assuming it would be good for EFA, but was wondering if it would be equivalent to SFA?
Thanks!
Hi Michelle,
If you are inquiring as to whether or not you could use an OFA Level 2 certification to take a Red Cross SFA or EFA recertification, unfortunately no, you would need to take a full SFA or EFA course.
However, in terms of WorkSafeBC standards, Red Cross SFA and EFA are considered equivalent to OFA.
Kind regards,
Link2Life
Is standard first aid a higher level of certification or is occupational first aid? I have my OFA1 and I am wondering if I need my SFA or not. Please email me with a reply, thanks
Hi Cole,
So while you cannot take a Standard First Aid recertification with an Occupational First Aid certification, the Red Cross version of SFA is considered equivalent to OFA Level 1, as of September 2018. Whether or not you need SFA will depend on what you need it for!
Kind regards,
Link2Life
A job qualification requires Child Care First Aid, CPR and AED. Would current SFA, CPR-C, and AED meet this requirement?
Hi Elora,
As SFA with CPR-C/AED certification covers all the topics covered in EFA Childcare with CPR/AED and more, yes, SFA should cover the requirements for your work.
Kind regards,
Link2Life
Is emergency first aid level c the same as standard first aid level c when it comes to renewal ?
Hi Michael,
In terms of recertification, no, Emergency First Aid (EFA) is not the same as Standard First Aid (SFA). SFA is a higher level of certification than EFA, so you can use an old SFA certificate for an EFA renewal, but you cannot use an old EFA certificate for a SFA renewal.
Kind regards,
Link2Life