Tag Archives: first aid training

A supervisor on a construction site looking confused about the difference between Emergency and Standard First Aid course information.

Emergency First Aid vs. Standard First Aid – What’s the Difference?

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The following post will answer the most common questions regarding Emergency (Basic) First Aid and Standard (Intermediate) First Aid.

First aid training and certification in British Columbia has undergone significant changes recently. With new terminology introduced by the Canadian Red Cross and updated alignments with WorkSafeBC (OFA) and Canadian Standards Association (CSA), it is no surprise that individuals and employers are feeling a bit confused.

At Safe + Sound First Aid Training, our goal is to make life-saving skills accessible and clear. Whether you are a construction supervisor, a daycare worker, or a concerned parent, choosing the right course is the first step toward safety.

Decoding the Names

The biggest hurdle for most people right now is the terminology. You might see three different names for what is essentially the same level of certification.

1. Emergency First Aid (Now “Basic First Aid”)

Historically known as Emergency First Aid (EFA), this level is now officially referred to as Basic First Aid under the new national standards. In the eyes of WorkSafeBC, this course is equivalent to Occupational First Aid (OFA) Level 1.

The Names: Emergency First Aid = Basic First Aid = OFA Level 1.

2. Standard First Aid (Now “Intermediate First Aid”)

Traditionally called Standard First Aid (SFA), this is now known as Intermediate First Aid. One of the most significant recent changes is that WorkSafeBC now recognizes Intermediate (Standard) First Aid certification as equivalent to OFA Level 2.

The Names: Standard First Aid = Intermediate First Aid = OFA Level 2.

Emergency First Aid vs. Standard First Aid – What’s the Difference?

While both courses cover life-saving essentials like CPR and AED (Automated External Defibrillator) use, the primary differences lie in duration, depth, and regulatory requirements.

Emergency / Basic First Aid (OFA 1 Equivalent)
This course includes 8 hours of training and is designed for people who need a general knowledge of first aid for a low-risk work environment or personal interest. It can be offered as a one-day, in-person session or a blended course, where participants complete a short online theory component before attending a 5-6 hour in-person, practical skills training session.

Focus: Life-threatening emergencies.
Key Topics: CPR, AED, choking, severe bleeding, wound care, and medical emergencies (heart attacks/strokes).
Best For: Small offices, retail workers, and those who need to meet the minimum WorkSafeBC requirements for a basic workplace.

Standard / Intermediate First Aid (OFA 2 Equivalent)
This is a comprehensive 16 hour program. It covers everything in the Basic course but goes into much greater detail regarding injuries and illnesses and includes additional topics. Standard First Aid can be offered as a two-day, in-person session or a blended course where participants complete an online theory component before attending an 8-hour in-person, practical skills training session.

Focus: Full-body assessment and management of a wide variety of injuries.
Key Topics: Everything in Basic First Aid, plus head/spinal injuries, bone/joint/muscle injuries, poisons, environmental emergencies (heat/cold), and more in-depth secondary surveys.
Best For: High-risk industries (construction, forestry, manufacturing), schools, daycare workers (specifically the 16-hour version), and large workplaces that are distant from a hospital.

How to Decide Which First Aid Course You Need

For the Individual
If you are taking a course for your own peace of mind, Basic First Aid is a great starting point. However, if you have children or spend a lot of time outdoors, we highly recommend Intermediate (Standard) First Aid because it covers fractures, sprains, and environmental issues common in active lifestyles.

For the Employer
Your choice is dictated by WorkSafeBC (Occupational Health and Safety) Regulations. To determine which level you need, you must consider:

  • The hazard level of your workplace (Low vs. High).
  • The number of employees on a shift.
  • The travel time to the nearest hospital.
  • Tip: Generally, if you have a larger crew or work in a higher-risk setting, WorkSafeBC will require at least one person with Intermediate (OFA 2) certification on-site.

Blended First Aid classes vs. traditional, in-person first aid. What’s the difference?

The main difference between these courses lies in how you spend your time, not the certification you receive. Whether you choose “Blended” or “Traditional,” the curriculum and the resulting certificate are identical and recognized by workplace safety regulators (like WorkSafeBC or WSIB).

Here is a breakdown of the differences to help you choose the right format.

1. Structural Comparison

The “Blended” format splits the course into two halves: digital theory and in-person practice. The “Traditional” format is fully immersive in a classroom setting.

Feature Blended First Aid Traditional First Aid
Theory Completed online at your own pace (videos, quizzes, interactive slides). Taught in-person via instructor lectures and textbooks.
Skills In-person session is 100% focused on hands-on practice (CPR, AED, bandages). Skills are woven into the full-day or multi-day classroom session.
Time in Class Significantly reduced (usually half the time). Full duration (1 day for Emergency; 2 days for Standard).
Prerequisites Must finish online modules before the class date. No pre-work required; just show up.

2. Time Commitment Breakdown

Because the theory is moved online, the “Blended” option saves you substantial “seat time” in a physical classroom.

Emergency First Aid (EFA)
Traditional: Typically 8 hours in one day.
Blended: Approx. 4 hours online + 4–6 hours in-person.

Standard First Aid (SFA)
Traditional: Typically 16 hours over two full days.
Blended: Approx. 8 hours online + one full day (8 hours) in-person.

Tip: If you choose the Blended option, ensure you complete your online component at least 24-48 hours before your in-person session. Red Cross instructors will not allow you to participate in the practical session without proof that you have finished the digital portion.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about First Aid Training

To help you figure out which course is best for you, we’ve compiled the most common questions our instructors receive at Safe + Sound.

Q: Is “Emergency First Aid” the same as “OFA Level 1”?
A: Yes. In British Columbia, the Canadian Red Cross Basic (Emergency) First Aid course is recognized by WorkSafeBC as an OFA Level 1 equivalent. If your employer asks for OFA 1, the Basic First Aid course will satisfy that requirement.

Q: I’ve been told I need “Standard First Aid.” Is that now called “Intermediate”?
A: Correct. The Red Cross updated its Standard First Aid course and included the term “Intermediate” on its certifications to align with new national CSA (Canadian Standards Association) classifications. Standard and Intermediate First Aid are the same level of training.

Q: Does Intermediate First Aid count as OFA Level 2?
A: Yes! This is a major update. Previously, OFA Level 2 was a separate, workplace-specific course. Now, the Intermediate (Standard) First Aid course is fully recognized as the equivalent of OFA Level 2 in BC.

Q: Which course do I need for Childcare?
A: In BC, the Child Care Licensing Regulation typically requires a first aid certificate that includes CPR and is at least 8 hours long. However, many employers and licensing officers prefer or require the Standard (Intermediate) First Aid course or the specific Emergency Child Care First Aid course because they provide more detail on pediatric emergencies.

Q: How long are these certifications valid?
A: Both Basic (Emergency) and Intermediate (Standard) First Aid certifications are valid for three years. After three years, you must take a recertification course or the full course again to remain compliant.

Q: Can I take these courses online?
A: We offer “Blended Learning” options. This means you complete the theoretical portion online at your own pace and then attend a shorter in-person session for hands-on skills like CPR and bandaging. You cannot get a WorkSafeBC-equivalent certification through a 100% online course; a practical component is mandatory.

Q: What is the difference in CPR levels (Level A vs. Level C)?
A: * CPR Level A covers adults only.

CPR Level C covers adults, children, and infants.
Most of our workplace courses automatically include CPR Level C to ensure you are prepared for any situation.

Why Train with Safe + Sound?

Choosing a first aid provider is about more than just checking a box. At Safe + Sound First Aid Training, we focus on confidence. We don’t want you to just “pass” the course; we want you to feel empowered to step in and act quickly and effectively when an emergency happens.

Our instructors are experienced professionals who bring real-world scenarios into the classroom, making the time fly by. Whether you are coming to our Coquitlam facility or we are bringing the training to your office, you can expect high-quality equipment and engaging instruction.

Ready to book your spot and learn to save a life?
View our Basic (Emergency) First Aid Schedule 
View our Intermediate (Standard) First Aid Schedule
If you are an employer and are still unsure about your WorkSafeBC requirements, or if you’d like to get your staff trained in first aid, please contact us.

Don’t wait for an accident to happen. Get trained. Get certified. Be the difference.

Students in a first aid class

New WorkSafeBC First Aid Regulatory Changes

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Did you know that WorkSafeBC has updated its first aid guidelines? If you are an employer in BC, you must learn about the new first-aid regulatory changes.

First aid training and certification can be confusing, as there are so many options and agencies have different names for the courses. Don’t worry—we are here to help! We’ve presented some of the critical changes in the form of FAQs below. For the full details, please download WorkSafeBC’s Backgrounder: Occupational First Aid Regulatory Changes. The PDF link is at the end of this article.

First—the good news!

BC employers who were previously required to have staff trained as Level 2 attendants can now have them take the shorter, less expensive Red Cross Standard First Aid course!

Level 2 was a five-day, 35-hour course costing approximately $700.00 per person. Standard First Aid is a two-day, 16-hour course costing approximately $165.00 per person. You will soon be able to get four people trained and certified in first aid for the price of one. Having more people skilled and able to handle emergencies will lead to a safer workplace and peace of mind for you as an employer. The shorter, lower-cost course requirement is also excellent news for your bottom line!

FAQs about the new first aid regulatory changes in BC

Q: When will the new BC first aid amendments take effect?

The amendments will become effective on November 1, 2024, providing plenty of time for employers to train their staff to the required level and purchase any additional equipment required by these changes. This extended timeline ensures a smooth transition and reduces potential stress for employers.

Q: What are the changes to the first aid courses and certificate names?

Alignment with CSA Z1210 – 17 affects course naming and course duration. Here are the current program names and duration, along with the new 2024 program names and duration:

OFA 1   1 day (8 hours)  = Basic First Aid 1 day (8 hours)

OFA 2   5 days (35 hours)  = Intermediate First Aid 2 days (16 hours)

OFA 3   10 days (70 hours)  = Advanced First Aid 10 days (70 hours)

Q: Where can I learn more about new WorkSafeBC first-aid regulatory changes?

First aid requirements are listed in Schedule 3-A of the OHS Regulation and have been in place with minimal updates since the early 2000s.

Q: What are the CSA standards for first aid?

The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) issues the following standards, providing national guidance on workplace first aid training programs and first aid kits.:

  • CSA Z1210 – 17 First aid training for the workplace – Curriculum and quality management for training agencies.
  • CSA Z1220-17 First aid kits for the workplace.

Q: What are the key amendments to the regulation?

Employers must:

  1. Provide the supplies, facilities and first aid attendants required by Schedule 3-A
  2. Conduct a workplace risk assessment to determine any additional equipment, supplies, facilities, attendants, and services necessary to ensure injured workers can be quickly given first aid and transported for medical treatment.

Q: What factors determine the minimum levels of first aid supplies, facilities and attendants a BC workplace requires?

  • Number of workers at the workplace.
  • Hazard rating assigned to the industry.
  • Whether the workplace is “remote,” i.e. more than 30 minutes surface travel time from an ambulance station.
  • Whether the workplace is “less accessible” – meaning ambulances can’t safely get to it, or it includes one or more hazardous work areas that ambulance personnel can’t access.
  • For more detailed information on “less-accessible workplaces, please follow the link below.

 

Learn more about the WorkSafeBC first-aid regulatory changes on WorkSafeBC’s website via this link or download the Backgrounder Occupational first aid regulatory changes

Private group first aid training session in Coquitlam or Metro Vancouver | Request a quote

Standard/Intermediate First Aid | Learn more or register for a public class in Coquitlam

Emergency/Basic First Aid | Learn more or register for a public class in Coquitlam

First aid manikin and AED

WorkSafeBC Accepts Red Cross Blended Standard First Aid as OFA Level 1 Equivalent

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Did you know WorkSafeBC accepts Canadian Red Cross Blended Standard First Aid as OFA Level 1 equivalent?

How does Blended Standard First Aid benefit employers?

Instead of employees taking two full days off work to attend a classroom-based course, they are now out of the workplace for a single day. This reduces the need for employers to find cover, saving time and money.

What is Standard First Aid?

Standard First Aid is a Canadian Red Cross training course that includes essential lifesaving first aid and CPR skills for the workplace and home. The course meets legislation requirements for provincial/territorial worker safety and insurance boards. It follows the latest first aid and CPR guidelines.

What does Blended Standard First Aid mean?

A blended course includes an online component as well as an in-person session. Students complete an online course where they learn the theory behind the first aid skills. Following this, they attend a practical skills class where they get hands-on practice with equipment in the classroom. During this session, they will complete a multiple-choice test.

What’s the difference between Standard First Aid and Standard First Aid Blended?

With the regular Standard First Aid program, students attend 16 hours of in-person training in the classroom. Classes usually take place over two days. With Blended Standard First Aid training, participants complete the online, theory portion of the course at home or in the workplace. Following this, they attend a full-day, in-person skills session in the classroom.

Where does the practical skills session take place?

The Blended Standard First Aid skills session can take place onsite in the workplace or at a local training venue. You can schedule a group training session at your workplace or register your team members on a public course.

Standard First Aid Blended – About

Duration

Standard First Aid with CPR C Blended includes 16 hours of training –  8 hours of online learning + 8 hours in-person training. Online learning time will vary depending on the learner.

Regular Standard First Aid with CPR C includes 16  hours of in-person training

Completion Requirements

  • Attend and participate in 100% of the course
  • Successfully demonstrate practical first aid skills and critical steps
  • Achieve a minimum 75% mark for written knowledge evaluation

Standard First Aid Certification

Red Cross Standard First Aid & CPR certification is valid for three years from the date the certificate is issued. After three years, the full course must be repeated to maintain certification. A shorter, recertification class may be taken before the initial certificate expires.

Standard First Aid Course Content

  • The Red Cross
  • Responding to Emergencies
  • Check, Call, Care
  • Choking
  • Circulation emergencies
  • CPR and AED
  • Breathing Emergencies
  • Wound Care
  • Head, Neck, and Spinal Injuries
  • Bone, Muscle and Joint Injuries
  • Sudden Medical Emergencies
  • Environmental Illness
  • Poisons
  • Includes any other content required by specific legislation

Participant Materials

  • First Aid & CPR (eBook)
  • Standard First Aid – Online course (8 hours)
  • Standard First Aid certificate (digital certificate issued upon successful completion)
  • Printable version – Standard First Aid

Standard First Aid Private Group Training

Interested in Private Group Training for your team? Please contact us and ask for a quote.

Safe + Sound Private group training, onsite at Vancouver Film Studios.

Electrical sparks on dark background

A Shocking Experience Taught Me a Valuable Safety Lesson

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When I got up that morning, I wasn’t expecting to wind up electrocuted and left for dead. The consequences of a careless mistake taught me a valuable safety lesson, and by sharing it with others, I hope to save some lives.

 

Everything seemed to be going smoothly that fateful day until I heard,

Zzzt zzzt zzzt — and a man shouting at me,

“Lie down on the ground! Don’t move!”

“What happened?” I asked.

“You touched a cable, and you’ve been electrocuted,” he replied. Keep still.

I lay on the ground — shocked.

 

An emergency scene

As I looked around, it became apparent a bus had crashed, and there were multiple casualties. I listened to the cries of the injured passengers while bystanders asked questions in urgent voices,

“Did you see what happened?”

“Where are you hurt?”

“Did you hit your head?”

“You — in the blue shirt, call 911 and report back to me”.

Utter chaos.

 

Helpless and frustrated

Most unbearable was being unable to help. From my horizontal position, I assessed the scene and thought about everything I could be doing for the injured people around me.

I’d been trained in first aid, but because I’d forgotten to check for danger before rushing to help, I’d become a casualty and was now useless. Silently, I coached the helpers as they gave CPR, bandaged wounds, and supported broken limbs.

Finally, the man who told me I’d been electrocuted called a stop to the proceedings.

“So,” he said, chin down, eyebrows raised, wide eyes looking pointedly at me. “What have we all learned from this exercise?” Cringing with embarrassment, I slowly raised my hand.

 

First aid scenario

It was the end of a two-day Red Cross Standard First Aid & CPR class and time to put our new skills to the test. The instructor had split us into two groups and told my group to wait in the hallway. After a while, we’d be called in to deal with an emergency scene and would have to give first aid to any casualties we found.

The instructor set up the room with the other class members while we waited nervously in the hallway. A few minutes later, he flung open the door with a look of panic. “Help! Quick! There’s been a terrible accident. People are injured!”

 

The crucial question

As instructed, before entering the room, I asked the question, “Is the scene safe?” The instructor paused before answering, “The scene appears — to be safe.” In hindsight, I should’ve listened more carefully to the emphasis he put on the word appears.

Hearts thumping, adrenaline pumping, my classmates and I rushed into the room and looked around. We saw injured people everywhere, moaning, groaning, crying, dying, pools of fake blood on the floor. I ran to a man lying on his back with his eyes closed. Kneeling beside him, I began to check for responsiveness, and that’s when I heard the ominous sound,

Zzzt zzzt zzzt

I looked up in confusion to find the instructor standing beside me. He told me I’d just been electrocuted and pointed to the floor by my casualty’s chest. I noticed I was kneeling on a wire trailing beneath the man’s body.

 

In my rush to save a life, I’d killed myself.

 

A humiliating moment and a powerful lesson

The instructor told me to lie quietly beside my casualty as I was now dead and unable to help him. I lay on the ground, humiliated, while the other students in my group saved their injured people. It was a humbling moment. Until that point, I’d felt pretty confident in the skills I’d learned during the course, but as I lay helpless beside my dying person, I knew I’d missed the most critical step.

I vowed NEVER to make the same mistake again.

Rushing around, not paying attention are common reasons people have accidents. That day, I learned a vital lesson. Whenever you go into a room or a new environment, always check for dangers.

Look up, down, all around. Is there something you could trip on, slip on? Is there fire, wire, gas, glass, drugs, or thugs?

 

Remember — If you’re killed or injured, you can’t help anyone.

 

I completed my training, became a Red Cross first aid instructor, and opened Safe + Sound First Aid Training (still going strong 21 years later). Over the years, I’ve taught hundreds of first aid & CPR courses and trained thousands of people. I’ve electrocuted many students in first aid scenarios. I hope it’s taught them the same valuable lesson I learned years ago. By sharing the story of my deadly mistake, I hope I’ve saved some lives.

First aid instructor in foreground with CPR manikins behind

Gill McCulloch, Owner, Safe + Sound First Aid Training Ltd.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take a first aid course and learn to save a life.

 

First aid training classroom with physical distancing layout

First Aid Training During COVID-19 – What We’re Doing to Keep You Safe

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If you need to update your first aid certification, you may be concerned about whether it’s safe to take an in-person class during COVID-19 restrictions. This article explains what you can expect in a first aid class and what we’re doing to ensure your health and safety. We hope the information below will reassure you about registering for a course or booking a private group training session for your team.

Safe + Sound First Aid Training is following WorkSafe BC and Canadian Red Cross health and safety guidelines for first aid agencies.

Click here for our full COVID-10 Health and Safety Protocols

Woman wearing face mask standing near table and hand sanitizer stand.

On arrival at your first aid class, a friendly staff member will greet you and ask you to use hand sanitizer before completing a health screening questionnaire.

Brief outline

Participants:

  • Receive health and safety information via email before the class.
  • Are required to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination on arrival at the course location.
  • Complete a health screening questionnaire before entering the classroom.
  • Are required to wash/sanitize their hands before, during and after class.
  • Wear a mask before entering the classroom and throughout the course.
  • Are spaced at least 2 metres apart in the training room.
  • Have their own manikin, equipment, and supplies.
  • Are given a disposable, one-way valve with a filter to use with their CPR breathing mask.
  • Use equipment that has been sanitized following WorkSafeBC and Canadian Red Cross guidelines.

Health screening

Before admittance into the class, participants must complete a health questionnaire. This helps us determine if they have been ill or have had any signs of illness (fever, cough, breathing difficulties/shortness of breath, or other symptoms) within the last 24 hours, travelled outside of Canada within the previous 14 days or been in contact with someone who is ill. (Source Government of Canada https://ca.thrive.health/covid19/en) Participants with pre-existing conditions (e.g., allergies causing sneezing) are discouraged from attending training; this helps participants in the course feel secure.

 

COVID-19 Health Screening Questionnaire

Each student completes a health screening questionnaire before being admitted to class.

 

Face masks

We require that students and instructors wear face masks during the entire class. While this is slightly inconvenient, it gives people confidence that they will remain safe while spending a day in a room with other people.

 

Hand sanitizing

We ask participants to use hand sanitizer on arrival and wash their hands regularly throughout the day and at the end of the class. Washrooms are situated close to the classrooms.

Smaller group sizes and physical distancing

We have reduced our class sizes to meet physical distancing guidelines in our classrooms. Each student has a two-metre square area, with their chair and all the equipment and supplies they need for the class. Students are asked to remain in their area throughout the class, except during breaks.

Classroom layout

With current physical distancing guidelines, participants need to be separated by a minimum of 2 metres.  As you can see from the image, we have arranged our classroom to create individual stations where students remain during class.

First aid training classroom with physical distancing layout. Workstations are two metres apart.

First aid workstations are situated two metres apart in the classrooms.

 

Physical contact

Participants are not required to have any physical contact with other students or the instructor. Previously, some first aid skills like the recovery position, splints and slings, required people to work in pairs. We have come up with creative ways to teach these skills without students having physical contact with others.

Equipment – one to one ratios

Each student has an adult manikin, infant manikin, AED trainer (defibrillator), and first aid supplies to use during class. There is no sharing of equipment or supplies.

First aid class individual workstation with CPR manikins, AED trainer and first aid supplies

First aid class workstation. Each student has their own Mankins, AED, kneeling mat and first aid supplies. No sharing or physical contact with other students.

What about gloves and CPR breathing masks?

We give each student disposable vinyl gloves and a new, disposable one-way valve and filter to use with their CPR mask. Students may take the CPR masks home with them.

White plastic tray containing first aid supplies for use during a first aid class.

Each student has a tray containing the first aid supplies they need for the day.

Cleaning and sanitizing

Following guidelines from WorkSafeBC and the Canadian Red Cross, we sanitize all first aid equipment thoroughly after use.

Questions?

We hope the above information will reassure you about taking a class or booking a private class for your team. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

 

 

Five star Google review for Safe + Sound First Aid Training, from first aid training client, June 2020

Google review from Emergency Child Care First Aid CPR course participant, June 2020. Thank you Becky! More Google Reviews

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First aid course information, schedules and online registration

 

Private Group First Aid Training

Students in first aid class doing CPR wearing face masks.

June 2020. Private onsite group training at Pacific Backlot / Vancouver Film Studios. Workers learning CPR during a Red Cross Emergency First Aid (OFA 1) class.