AFA – ADVANCED FIRST AID, FORMERLY OFA LEVEL 3
ADVANCED FIRST AID TRAINING (OFA 3)
WorkSafeBC-approved Advanced First Aid (OFA 3 / AFA) — the highest level of occupational first aid certification in BC. Comprehensive 70-hour program preparing attendants for high-hazard, remote, and isolated workplaces where ambulance response may not be readily available.
Metro Safety Training delivers WorkSafeBC-approved Advanced First Aid (OFA 3 / AFA) — the highest level of occupational first aid certification in British Columbia — from our central Coquitlam classroom serving Surrey, Richmond, Vancouver, and remote worksites across the province. This 70-hour intensive program is delivered over roughly 10 consecutive days (about two weeks) and prepares attendants to manage serious, complex medical emergencies in high-hazard, remote, or isolated workplaces where ambulance response may not be readily available. Skills go significantly beyond BFA or IFA — advanced airway management, oxygen therapy and BVM ventilation, spinal packaging with hard collars and spine boards, extended patient care, and START triage for multi-casualty incidents. The final 14 hours of the program are dedicated to formal practical and written examinations. Every cohort is led by WorkSafeBC-approved instructors with active field emergency-response experience.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
ADVANCED FIRST AID TRAINING (OFA 3) COURSE MODULES
Built directly from the WorkSafeBC Basic First Aid Participant Guide.
Module 1 — Scene Assessment & Patient Evaluation
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Apply the Priority Action Approach in complex scenes
- Complete detailed primary and secondary surveys
- Score patients using the Glasgow Coma Scale
- Perform ongoing patient assessment throughout care
- Document and communicate patient status to BCEHS
TOPICS COVERED
- Risk management and detailed scene assessment
- Primary and secondary survey at the Advanced level
- Glasgow Coma Scale and ongoing assessment
- Patient handoff communication and documentation
- Emergency services coordination
Module 2 — Advanced Airway, Breathing & Cardiac
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Perform jaw thrust, oral airway insertion, and suctioning
- Administer oxygen via nasal cannula and non-rebreather
- Ventilate with a bag-valve mask (BVM)
- Recognize and manage cardiac arrest, angina, and heart attack
- Manage partial and complete airway obstruction (fluid and solid)
TOPICS COVERED
- Advanced airway management and suctioning
- Oxygen therapy: nasal cannula, non-rebreather, BVM
- CPR/AED at the Advanced level
- Respiratory distress and arrest management
- Circulatory system anatomy and cardiac emergencies
Module 3 — Trauma, Shock, Bleeding & Transport
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Package patients on a spine board with hard collar
- Use a scoop-style stretcher and coordinated fore/aft lifts
- Manage hypovolemic shock and anaphylaxis
- Apply a tourniquet and manage massive bleeding
- Care for amputations and preserve amputated parts
TOPICS COVERED
- Hard collar application and spinal packaging
- Spine board and scoop stretcher techniques
- Safe patient care during extended transport
- Anaphylaxis, hypovolemic shock, tourniquet use
- Major musculoskeletal trauma and dislocations
Module 4 — Medical, Environmental & Multi-Casualty + Exams
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Manage diabetic, seizure, stroke, and poison emergencies
- Recognize and treat heatstroke, hypothermia, and frostbite
- Manage major burns, and major ear/nose/eye injuries
- Triage multiple casualties using the START system
- Pass all practical and written examinations
TOPICS COVERED
- Medication management and critical incident stress
- Environmental emergencies and major burn treatment
- Head, spine, and nervous system injuries; altered LOC
- START triage for mass-casualty incidents
- 14-hour formal examination block (practical + written)
WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE
- First aid attendants at high-hazard remote workplaces — logging, mining, large remote construction
- Large remote industrial operations with 100+ workers
- Sites where Schedule 3-A cross-references the Advanced level based on worker count, hazard, and remoteness
- Workplaces where an Intermediate attendant is required but the site is also remote and/or less accessible
- Employers scheduling private cohorts to train multiple attendants together
Prerequisites: No formal prerequisites, though most AFA candidates hold prior BFA or IFA training given the depth of the 70-hour program. Candidates must be able to physically perform all required skills including CPR, patient packaging and immobilization, spinal management, and extended patient care. Government-issued photo ID is required at time of course.
ADVANCED FIRST AID TRAINING (OFA 3) IN COQUITLAM, SURREY, RICHMOND, VANCOUVER
One central Coquitlam classroom serving students across the Lower Mainland. Most attendees commute 25–35 minutes by car or SkyTrain.
Coquitlam
Our home classroom on Lougheed Highway — central to the Tri-Cities, free parking, 5 minutes off Highway 1.
Surrey
About 30 minutes from Surrey Centre via Highway 1 or the Pattullo. Popular for Surrey-based contractors and industrial crews.
Richmond
Roughly 35 minutes from Richmond via Highway 91 / Highway 1. Convenient for YVR-area employers and logistics teams.
Vancouver
25–35 minutes from East Vancouver and downtown via SkyTrain to Coquitlam Central or Highway 1. Great option for Vancouver-based attendants requiring OFA 3.
WHY CHOOSE METRO SAFETY
WHAT YOU RECEIVE
- WorkSafeBC Advanced First Aid (OFA Level 3) certificate — valid 3 years
- Certificate issued in your legal name and mailed by WorkSafeBC to your home address on file
- Digital records emailed for HR / WorkSafeBC audits
- Current WorkSafeBC OFA Level 3 student manual reference materials
- Optional add-on: Transportation Endorsement (separate 7-hour course) for sites requiring extended patient transport
Who Should Take This Course?
Required for first aid attendants at high-hazard remote workplaces — logging, mining, large remote construction — and any site where WorkSafeBC Schedule 3-A cross-references the Advanced level based on worker count, hazard, and remoteness.
Instructor Credentials
All AFA cohorts are led by WorkSafeBC-approved instructors with active field emergency-response experience. Trainers maintain current certifications and undergo ongoing professional development.
Certification & Renewal
Upon successful completion you receive a WorkSafeBC-compliant Advanced First Aid (OFA Level 3) certificate valid for 3 years, mailed to your home address by WorkSafeBC in your legal name. Renewal requires retaking the full 70-hour program — plan 3–6 months in advance.
Private Cohorts for Employers
Metro Safety offers private AFA cohort scheduling for employers who need to certify multiple attendants together, including on-location delivery for remote worksites. Contact us to discuss options.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
UPCOMING DATES
READY TO ENROLL?
View upcoming dates and register for this course today.