Occupational first aid (OFA) Level 1 attendants are an essential part of safe workplace. Candidates required to take this course are provided an opportunity to maintain a healthy and safe surrounding when at his or her workplace. OFA level 1 courses teach candidates basic first aid and CPR skills and a priority action approach when responding to a first aid scenario. Candidates will learn to save the life of a loved one or family member. You will learn to preserve life as you become part of the chain of survival that includes paramedics, nurses, doctors and other hospital workers.

Organizations involved in occupational first aid and safety include workplace BC, the Canadian Red Cross and St. Johns Ambulance. The Red Cross has a equivalent program to occupational first aid called Workplace Emergency First Aid (WEFA). All major providers award successful candidates with a certificate of equal value. Candidates enrolled in online courses or taking first aid courses through unlicensed providers will not receive a equivalent of valid certificate. Government licensed OFA level 1 courses are 8 hours in length and usually completed within 1 or 2 days. For more information on the course program select the OFA level 1 curriculum page from the menu bar above.

Occupational first aid courses are offered throughout Canada. Courses vary in price from 70 dollars to 95 dollars. The only pre-requisite to the course is that candidates be at least 16 years of age. 100% attendance is required to complete the course.

Candidates in the occupational first aid course will receive a licensed certificate / award that is valid for 3 years. Candidates may be required to recertify the award at an earlier date based on employee standards.

Other OFA courses include OFA level 2 and OFA level 3. Re-certification courses are not available for OFA level 1 or OFA level 2. Only candidates that previously completed a occupational first aid level 3 course are eligible for a OFA level 3 refresher course.

Candidates enrolled in the OFA level 1 course will be required to complete a multiple choice test prior to the end of the course. The exam involves 20 multiple choice questions and successful candidates must complete the test with a minimum score of 70%.