OFA1

(Occupational First Aid, Level 1 or OFA1)Canadian Red Cross Training Partner

This is the number 1 course you need for First Aid in the Workplace! The course has a number of names, but is the one required by to allow you or your staff to work as the appointed First Aid Attendant in the workplace. As Red Cross Training Partners, naturally we offer the Red Cross ‘flavour’ of the course. It still certifies you to the WorkSafe BC standards and is acceptable province-wide.

Overview of OFA1 (from WorkSafe BC )

The provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation are intended to minimize or eliminate occupational hazards and provide employees with safe workplaces as much as possible. Accidents do happen, however, and each workplace must have the necessary facilities and personnel to deal with them. The facilities and personnel required will depend on the hazards and number of employees found at a particular site.
The purpose of occupational first aid is to provide workers with prompt, easily accessible, and appropriate first aid treatment and to keep a record of each treatment. Depending on the workplace, some or all of the following are needed to accomplish this:

  1. Occupational first aid attendants with the appropriate level of training
  2. Facilities such as first aid rooms or dressing stations
  3. First aid boxes or kits with the appropriate types and quantities of supplies
  4. Record keeping system
  5. Appropriate means of transporting an injured worker to a first aid facility or a hospital
  6. Effective means of communication between first aid attendants and workers who may need their help

For more information see http://www2.worksafebc.com/Topics/FirstAid/Home.asp
As your First Aid Instructors, we are here to help you meet point 1 – get appropriate training. The good news is that our training also covers knowledge about all other points. On our courses, along with all the necessary first aid knowledge & practical skills, students will become familiar with the requirements of the appropriate legislation, record keeping (and they will practice doing this) transportation decisions and communication. So, what exactly will be covered on the course?

Workplace Emergency First Aid Course Contents

The course meets the requirements for OFA1 set out by WorkSafe BC. Here’s a quick summery:

  1. Introduction, Administration & The Red Cross
  2. Roles & Responsibilities, Preparing to Respond, Preventing Disease Transmission
  3. Check, Call, Care
  4. Wound Care & WorkSafeBC Paperwork
  5. Airway, Breathing & Circulatory emergencies
  6. Shock,  bleeding & Medical emergencies
  7. Knowledge Evaluation & Wrap-up

On the Day of your Course

Remember to pack government issued photo-ID. If you don’t have a Canadian issued driver’s license, here’s a list of what WorkSafe BC allows us to accept. Bring one or more of these with you!
On the day, try to turn up about 10 minutes early. There’s paperwork to be completed and often complimentary tea & coffee on site! The course itself consists of 7 hrs teaching along with 2 15 minute coffee breaks and a half hour for lunch. In total you can expect to be with us for 8 hrs (minimum!) but don’t worry – there’s plenty to do and the time will fly past.
The course does involve practical work. That means you’ll be rolled around the floor by your classmates. Be prepared to do this. Yes the outfit you wore for the last office party was nice, but we’re saying it just might not be appropriate for today.

Locations

Currently we offer the Workplace Emergency First Aid course in the Sea 2 Sky area and LMR. In practice this means we offer OFA1 from Pemberton to Vancouver, but would travel if needed. Most of our regularly scheduled courses are run in Squamish.

Assessment & Certification

For OFA1, WorkSafe BC requires three types of assessment on the day
1. Practical skills assessment. We’ll be watching you all day and you need to be good. You need to be especially good at the life-saving skills. If we get to the end of the day and you haven’t convinced your instructor that you could save their life, you won’t pass.
2. Completion of a First Aid Record. Yes, you have to complete one and it has to be written in English.
3. Written exam. The Red Cross course gives you a 25 question, multiple-choice exam. Don’t worry about it, we’ll cover everything on the day. If you’re the kind of person who does worry – here are a few sample questions (which aren’t on the real exam) to give you an idea.
You need to pass all three stages. For the exam, you’ll need to get 70%. Yes, we have failed people, so make sure you’re attentive on the day!
Certification is issued on the day of course completion and is valid for 3 years from the day of completion.

Out of Jurisdiction qualifications

Out of Jurisdiction equivalency is available. Click for more information about this topic.

SWEFA

The Standard Workplace First Aid Course is a 2 day course from the Red Cross, offering certification in both Workplace Emergency First Aid and Standard First Aid. A candidate successfully completing both days will receive both certificates. This is the course for you if you need to offer First Aid to both colleagues and the public. More information can be found here.

Finally

Thanks for reading all this way! Now the menu bar has probably scrolled out of view, so we want to finish by reminding you to reserve your place(s) on a course or eMail us with any more questions you might have.