SP-230801: Basic First Aid Responder

Basic Emergency First Aid Responder

SP-230801 | NQF Level 2 | Credits 2

This Qualification can be customized to fit your requirements/schedule

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Platform:
In-class
QCTO Recognized Training Provider – Prospen Africa
Revised and Updated:
18 September 2026
Date Venue Duration
Available on Request Sandton, Gauteng 2 Days

Course Introduction

Emergencies don’t wait for professional help to arrive. Whether it’s a colleague collapsing at work, a choking incident at home, or an injury on a sports field, the difference between a good outcome and a bad one often comes down to what happens in the first few minutes — before paramedics reach the scene. The Basic Emergency First Aid Responder (BEFAR) programme, previously known as First Aid Level 1, is the foundational qualification under the QCTO occupational framework, equipping learners with the practical knowledge and skills to respond confidently and competently to emergency situations.

 

Benefits:

  • Provides industries and workplaces with certified first aid responders
  • Builds local capacity in communities and households to manage emergencies

Course Duration

2 Days

Entry Requirements

Open Access — no minimum entry requirements. A certified copy of your ID document is required for registration.

Course Objectives

By the end of the Basic Emergency First Aid Responder programme, learners will be able to:

  • Ensure incident scene safety, and assess and manage patients within their scope
  • Provide basic emergency first aid care, including secondary assessments for life-threatening conditions
  • Apply continuous first aid care to reduce pain and support recovery
  • Transfer the patient to the next level of medical care with proper documentation
  • Communicate effectively with patients, bystanders and other stakeholders
  • Perform post-incident clean-up safely

Certificate Validity & Refresher Training

QCTO policy is that this qualification does not officially expire once awarded. However, the Occupational Health and Safety Act requires workplace first aid competency to stay current — in practice, this means renewing or refreshing certification roughly every 2–3 years to remain compliant and confident in a live emergency.

Career Opportunities

Learners completing this Basic Emergency First Aid Responder programme can work as first aid responders in:

  • Factories, construction sites and mining
  • Healthcare facilities, schools and educational settings
  • Retail environments and sports facilities

Who should attend?

Open access means this programme suits far more than formal workplace roles — anyone who wants the confidence and skills to act when it matters most, including:

  • Employees in factories, construction sites, mining, healthcare, education, retail and sports facilities seeking workplace certification
  • Domestic workers and caregivers who may need to respond to a home emergency
  • Community volunteers and neighbourhood watch members
  • Sports coaches, personal trainers and fitness instructors working with people at risk of injury or cardiac events
  • Any individual who wants to be able to help, confidently, in an emergency
Finance Courses

Training Methodology

Our diverse instructional approaches ensure effective learning:

– Lectures & Presentations: Engage with expert-driven, stimulating content.
– Course Material: Access well-crafted supporting resources.
– Group Work: Collaborate on discussions and case studies for practical insights.
– Workshops & Role-Play: Participate in immersive, scenario-based activities.
– Practical Application: Focus on applying theoretical knowledge in real situations.
– Post-Training Support: Receive extensive support after training for skill implementation.

Course Content

Module 1: Principles and Objectives of First Aid
  • Understand the purpose and goals of basic first aid
  • Learn the ABCs: Airway, Breathing and Circulation
  • Define the role, responsibilities and scope of a first aider
  • Apply legal and ethical principles when providing care
  • Maintain personal health and safety while assisting others

Module 2: Applied Basic First Aid
  • Ensure scene safety before approaching the patient
  • Conduct primary and secondary assessments of the patient
  • Communicate with the patient, bystanders and emergency services
  • Decide on appropriate actions within the scope of basic first aid
  • Continue observing and caring for the patient until handover
  • Hand over the patient properly to emergency services
  • Record and report the incident accurately
  • Conduct safe post-incident clean-up

Module 3: Key Components of Human Anatomy and Physiology
  • Respiratory System: Nose, mouth, windpipe, lungs — important for CPR and breathing emergencies.
  • Cardiovascular System: Heart, blood and vessels — critical for heart attacks and circulatory issues.
  • Nervous System: Brain, spinal cord, nerves — helps identify head and spinal injuries.
  • Musculoskeletal System: Bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments — essential for fractures, sprains, dislocations.
  • Integumentary System: Skin, hair, nails — necessary for burns, cuts and other skin injuries.

Module 4: Recognising Emergencies, Injuries and Illnesses, and Providing Appropriate Treatment
  • Quickly identify life-threatening conditions and provide immediate care
  • Conduct secondary assessments: medical history, head-to-toe checks, vital signs
  • Identify and control types of bleeding and severe wounds
  • Manage respiratory emergencies: choking, CPR for adults, children and infants, and AED use
  • Recognise unconsciousness causes (e.g. diabetes, seizures) and provide care
  • Spot and treat shock due to injury, blood loss, heart problems, infection or allergic reactions
  • Manage common injuries: sprains, strains, fractures, dislocations
  • Provide first aid for heart attacks and strokes
  • Handle environmental emergencies: heatstroke, hypothermia, hyperthermia
  • Recognise and treat poisoning, venomous bites and stings

Module 5: Practical Skills Development
  • Perform CPR and use an AED
  • Manage choking and breathing difficulties
  • Assess and treat bleeding, wounds and burns
  • Place unconscious patients in the recovery position
  • Manage traumatic injuries and shock
  • Communicate effectively during emergencies
  • Hand over patients to emergency medical personnel with proper documentation
  • Conduct safe post-incident clean-up

Certification

Learners who successfully complete the programme will be eligible to write the FISA examination. Upon passing, they will be awarded a Certificate of Competence along with a Statement of Results, both aligned with QCTO standards.

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FAQs – Basic Emergency First Aid Responder

Develop essential first aid responder skills covering emergency assessment, basic first aid, CPR, injury management, emergency procedures, and workplace safety.

What is the Basic Emergency First Aid Responder Skills Programme?
The SP-230801: Basic First Aid Responder Skills Programme is a QCTO-aligned programme at NQF Level 2 with 2 credits, designed to develop essential skills for responding to emergencies and providing basic first aid.
Who should attend the Basic Emergency First Aid Responder programme?
The programme is suitable for designated workplace first aiders, health and safety representatives, floor wardens, HR personnel, security staff, school staff and individuals who need basic emergency response skills.
What topics are covered in the Basic Emergency First Aid Responder programme?
Topics include first aid principles, patient assessment, basic anatomy and physiology, emergency recognition, CPR, AED use, choking, bleeding, burns, fractures, shock and other common medical and environmental emergencies.
What are the entry requirements for the Basic Emergency First Aid Responder programme?
The programme has open access and does not require a minimum entry qualification.
Does the Basic Emergency First Aid Responder programme include practical training?
Yes. Learners develop practical skills through workshops, role-play and hands-on activities covering CPR, AED use, patient assessment, bleeding control, burns, choking, recovery positioning and emergency response.
How is the Basic Emergency First Aid Responder programme assessed?
Learners who successfully complete the programme become eligible to write the Final Integrated Summative Assessment (FISA). Those who pass the examination receive a Certificate of Competence and Statement of Results aligned with QCTO standards.

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