OFA Level 1 (Basic First Aid) Courses in Vancouver
OFA Level 1 (Basic First Aid) is a one-day workplace first aid course designed and approved by WorkSafeBC.
If you live or work in Vancouver and need a quick, practical way to meet WorkSafeBC requirements, our OFA Level 1 Vancouver course makes it simple. At Fundamental First Aid, we help students earn their certificate through clear instruction, hands-on practice, and real-world scenarios that stick.
We’re a WorkSafeBC-approved emergency training school located at 206 – 1868 Glen Drive, just minutes from Science World and Main Street–Science World SkyTrain Station. Every week, students from Mount Pleasant, East Vancouver, Fairview, Kitsilano, Commercial Drive, Burnaby, and North Vancouver come to us to get certified for work or personal readiness.
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OFA Level 1 (Basic First Aid) Schedule
If you are not 100% satisfied with your first aid course, we will give you your money back, guaranteed!
Included in Basic First Aid (OFA Level 1)
- Roles and Responsibilities of a First Aid Attendant
- Priority Action Approach
- Repositioning an injured worker
- Wound Assessment and Treatment
- Identifying Breathing Emergencies
- Clearing an obstructed Airway
- Use of a pocket mask
- Performing CPR and using an AED
- Managing Bleeding
- Identifying signs of Anaphylactic shock
- Identifying and managing serious medical conditions
- Burn Management
Who should take Basic First Aid (OFA Level 1)?
People who work in offices, restaurants, bars, small construction sites, tourism, warehouses, fitness studios, retail, municipalities.
Certification
Upon successful completion of the course, you will leave at the end of the day with your official WorkSafeBC Basic First Aid certificate. Certifications expires 3 years from the date of your course.
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Private Basic First Aid (OFA Level 1) Course at your Workplace
Book Fundamental First Aid to provide first aid training at your worksite.
We bring all the materials and equipment needed to certify your staff in Occupational First Aid Level 1 on-site anywhere in Greater Vancouver!
About Fundamental First Aid Courses
Fundamental First Aid is a locally owned emergency training school focused on real-life learning, not rote memorization. Our instructors are experienced first responders and safety professionals who provide first aid training with patience and practical examples.
Classes are small, the environment is relaxed, and everyone gets individual coaching. Whether you’re renewing an expired ticket or starting from scratch, you’ll leave confident in your ability to respond to emergencies at home or on the job.
Our location is central, parking is free, and the classrooms are fully equipped with feedback CPR mannequins, AED trainers, and clean, organized practice stations.
OFA Level 1 Vancouver Course Overview
Occupational First Aid Level 1, now known as Basic First Aid, is the entry-level course recognized by WorkSafeBC for low-risk workplaces. It’s designed to teach essential life-saving skills and meet provincial workplace safety requirements.
This one-day class covers:
- Primary survey and scene assessment
- Clearing airways and checking for breathing
- Basic CPR and AED use
- Bleeding control and wound care
- Shock management
- Minor burns, strains, and musculoskeletal injuries
- Recordkeeping and incident reporting for WorkSafeBC
By the end of the course, participants can identify hazards, react effectively to common injuries, and communicate clearly with emergency services.
Certificates are valid for three years and are issued the same day you complete the course.
Who the OFA Level 1 Course Is For
This course is for anyone who needs WorkSafeBC-recognized first aid certification for employment, including:
- Office and retail workers
- Construction and warehouse employees
- Hospitality and recreation staff
- Film industry crew members
- Students starting a new trade or program
Even if you don’t need the certification for work, OFA Level 1 is a smart way to learn how to help family, friends, or coworkers in an emergency.
What to Expect in Class
We know sitting through long lectures doesn’t help people learn. At Fundamental First Aid, you’ll spend most of the day moving, practicing, and talking through real scenarios with your instructor.
Here’s how the day usually runs:
Morning: Introduction to WorkSafeBC first aid standards and workplace responsibilities. Learning and practicing the Priority Action Approach.
Late Morning: Hands-on practice assessing wounds, and basic wound care.
Lunch Break: Plenty of food options nearby on Terminal Avenue, East Van and in Mount Pleasant.
Afternoon: Choking scenarios, how to perform CPR/AED. Group scenarios and skill assessments.
Wrap-Up: Written test and debrief, then certificates printed on-site.
You don’t need medical experience or special gear—just comfortable clothes and a willingness to learn. We provide all equipment and materials.
Why Choose Fundamental First Aid for OFA Level 1 in Vancouver
People choose our OFA Level 1 Vancouver course because it feels personal, not corporate. We focus on skills that actually matter and on helping every student succeed.
Here’s what makes us stand out:
- WorkSafeBC-approved training provider
- Small classes for more individual practice time
- Experienced instructors with real emergency response backgrounds
- Flexible scheduling (weekday, evening, and weekend classes)
- Convenient location near Science World and Main Street SkyTrain
- Free parking and easy transit access
- Friendly, supportive learning environment
Thousands of Vancouver workers, students, and employers have trained with us, and we’re proud to hold hundreds of 5-star Google reviews.
How OFA Level 1 Certification Helps Employers
If you manage a team or run a small business, ensuring your staff has Occupational First Aid Level 1 certification isn’t just about compliance—it’s about safety culture.
Employers across Vancouver, Burnaby, North Vancouver and Richmond use our courses to:
- Meet WorkSafeBC first aid coverage requirements
- Reduce workplace injury risks and response time
- Keep certification records organized and audit-ready
- Build employee confidence in emergency situations
We can host private sessions at your site or reserve spots for your employees in our regular classes. Group bookings come with flexible payment and reporting options.
Areas We Serve
Our OFA Level 1 Vancouver classes attract students from across the region:
- Downtown Vancouver
- Mount Pleasant
- East Vancouver
- Fairview
- Kitsilano
- Commercial Drive
- Burnaby
- Richmond
- North Vancouver
We’re central, easy to reach by transit, and surrounded by cafés and amenities that make the day comfortable.
Book Your OFA Level 1 Vancouver Course
Ready to earn your WorkSafeBC OFA Level 1 certificate?
Register online or call 604-841-2541 to save your spot. Our team will help you choose the right date and format—weekday, weekend, or private group.
Locally owned. WorkSafeBC-approved. Trusted by Vancouver companies and students for real-world emergency training that makes a difference.
Basic First Aid (OFA Level 1) FAQ's
WHAT IS OFA LEVEL 1?
Occupational First Aid Level 1, is a basic workplace first aid course designed and approved by WorkSafeBC. Upon successful completion of this course you will be given an OFA 1 certificate which will qualify you to work as a first aid attendant on a work site in British Columbia.
IS THIS COURSE WORKSAFEBC APPROVED?
Absolutely. Fundamental First Aid is a WorkSafeBC-approved emergency training school, and our OFA Level 1 course was designed by WorkSafeBC. That means that you will leave class with an official WorkSafeBC Certificate!
DO I NEED PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE?
No, OFA Level 1 is an introductory first aid course and there are no prerequisites. Even if you’ve never learned CPR before, you will be comfortable taking an OFA Level 1 course.
WHEN WILL I GET MY CERTIFICATE?
The official WorkSafeBC OFA Level 1 (Basic First Aid) certificates are handed out at the end of class, so you can take your certificate home after your course!
OFA Level 1 certificates are valid for 3 years.
WHEN WILL I GET MY CERTIFICATE?
The official WorkSafeBC OFA Level 1 (Basic First Aid) certificates are handed out at the end of class, so you can take your certificate home after your course!
OFA Level 1 certificates are valid for 3 years.
CAN YOU TRAIN MY TEAM ON-SITE?
Yes. We provide on-site workplace training across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. All equipment and materials are included and you’ll receive a discounted rate. Contact us today!
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OFA LEVEL 1 AND 2?
The difference between WorkSafeBC Occupational First Aid Level 1 and Level 2 is that OFA Level 1 is only a one-day course meant for first aid attendants that are working with a small number of co-workers or on a low-risk worksite, while OFA Level 2 is a one-week course meant for first aiders that are working with a large number of coworkers or on a higher risk worksite.
IS OFA LEVEL 1 EQUIVALENT TO CPR-C?
No. The term ‘CPR-C’ is often referred to as a “level” of CPR, but it is just referring to whether or not a course teaches CPR techniques for different sized people. If a course has the term ‘CPR-A’, this means that you will only learn CPR techniques for adults. If a course has the term ‘CPR-B’, you will only learn CPR techniques for children and infants. If the course has the term ‘CPR-C’, this means that you will learn CPR techniques for everyone; children, infants and adults.
OFA Level 1 is specifically meant to train first aid attendants that are responsible for their co-workers, and since it is very rare that a child is working, this course only includes ‘CPR-A’ (adult CPR).
IS OFA LEVEL 1 THE SAME AS STANDARD FIRST AID?
No. As you may have noticed above, Standard First Aid is recognized by WorkSafeBC as equivalent to OFA Level 1. This means that you can work as an OFA Level 1 first aid attendant with a Standard First Aid certificate. However, if your workplace requires Standard First Aid, an OFA Level 1 certificate will not suffice. This is because a Standard First Aid course is a two-day course (as opposed to one-day for OFA 1) and it covers several topics that are not included in OFA Level 1. For example, OFA Level 1 does not cover child or infant CPR, slings and splints, environmental illnesses, or poisons. Therefore, if you are not sure if you need OFA Level 1 or Standard First Aid, you should take the two-day Standard First Aid to cover your bases.
CAN I DO OFA 1 ONLINE?
No, this course is not offered as an online course. In-person instruction is essential to evaluating the skills of the first aid attendant therefore WorkSafeBC requires that Occupational First Aid courses in Vancouver take place with a qualified instructor present.
HOW LONG IS A FIRST AID LEVEL 1 COURSE?
This course is an 8 hour course scheduled to take place over a typical work day. You will have 7 hours of training time, as well as a 30 minute lunch break and two 15 minute coffee breaks.
WHAT ARE OUR FOOD OPTIONS DURING THE COURSE?
At Fundamental First Aid we offer free water, coffee and tea and we have a fridge and microwave available if you want to bring your own lunch. There is also a great little diner within walking distance if you want to run out for some food during your break.
IS THERE AN OFA LEVEL 1 WRITTEN EXAM?
Yes, there is a 25 question multiple choice exam that you will complete at the end of your class. You have 30 minutes to complete the test, and you must get 18 of the questions correct in order to pass the course.
HOW DO I KNOW IF A LEVEL 1 FIRST AID CERTIFICATE IS RIGHT FOR ME?
All employers in British Columbia who have more than 10 employees working at the same time are required to have a certified Occupational First Aid (OFA) attendant on site. The number of attendants, and the level of certification required by the attendants, is determined by 3 factors as outlined in Schedule 3-A of the WorkSafeBC OHS Regulation:
- Number of employees working at the same time
- Distance to the closest hospital (via ambulance)
- Risk of injury at the worksite (low risk, moderate risk, or high risk)
In order to determine whether your work site is low risk, moderate risk, or high risk, you will need to refer to the WorkSafeBC website to find your classification unit by clicking here.
Once you know your risk classification, click here to check Schedule 3-A to determine your minimum level of first aid.
If you would like help determining the level of first aid that is required at your workplace, please contact us at [email protected], or click the chat bot on the bottom right of your screen!
DO YOU OFFER THIS COURSE IN VANCOUVER?
Yes, all of our public courses are held at our training facility in Vancouver. Check out the map below to see where we offer the absolute best OFA Level 1 courses in Vancouver.