FAW vs EFAW: What's the difference?
From offices to construction sites, every workplace has different risks. Find out whether First Aid at Work or Emergency First Aid at Work is the right first aid training course for you.
Choosing the right workplace first aid course isn’t always straightforward. Not all workplaces face the same risks, so why should their first aid training be the same?
Whether you’re responsible for a busy construction site, a small office team or work in retail, having trained first aiders can make a life-changing difference when the unexpected happens.
However, when it comes to choosing which first aid course to take, one question comes up time and time again: what’s the difference between First Aid at Work (FAW) and Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW)?
Both first aid courses teach essential lifesaving skills, help workplaces meet first aid requirements, and give people the confidence to act in an emergency. However, the key difference is the depth of first aid training, and whether they’re suited to your workplace needs.
- Emergency First Aid at Work is a 1-day course that gives you the essential skills to respond to common workplace emergencies and how to deal with life-threatening situations.
- First Aid at Work is a 3-day course that prepares you for the unexpected, equipping you with a wider range of skills to handle more complex situations.
Let’s deep dive into which workplace first aid course is right for your organisation.
Finding the right level of First Aid Training
Emergency First Aid at Work: The first on the scene
The EFAW course is typically for low-risk working environments. This could be any workplace, from offices and retail environments to hospitality and some educational institutes, like libraries.
This workplace first aid course teaches the first aider how to respond confidently in an emergency until further help has arrived. Teaching you various topics like:
- CPR
- Adult choking
- Minor and severe bleeding
- Defibrillator pad placement
- Seizures
…and more.
Taking an Emergency First Aid at Work course is useful for organisations and workplaces that need a practical first aid solution, without the need for in-depth medical training.
Reasons you might choose EFAW:
- You work in an office environment
- You run a shop or customer-facing venue
- You manage a small team
- You want your employees to gain first aid confidence
The reason why these working environments are classed as low risk is mainly due to their lack of heavy machinery, no heights involved or the absence of dangerous chemicals. The risks that can be found in these environments are those that people already know how to handle, such as minor slips or trips.
But being prepared for any emergency can help lessen the severity of the injury, as quick action can make a difference. Especially within workplaces where serious incidents are less likely to occur, but where immediate action could still save a life.
First Aid at Work: The workplace first aid specialist
The FAW course goes significantly further than EFAW. As well as covering emergency situations like CPR, choking and severe bleeding, first aiders can expect to learn a much broader range of injuries and illnesses. From allergic reactions, asthma attacks and fainting to low blood sugar episodes, poisoning and stroke recognition.
Workplaces that are of a high-risk environment, such as construction sites, will benefit greatly from having employees trained in FAW. Especially where the likelihood of serious incidents is greater.
Reasons you might choose FAW:
- You work in a construction or industrial setting
- Your team is across large sites or has a shift pattern
- You have higher-risk activities on site
- You work location is remote and further away from emergency services
- You want greater confidence in managing a range of medical emergencies
High-risk workplaces are those that exhibit dangerous high-risk activities such as working with heavy machinery, at high heights, under extreme weather, working with dangerous chemicals or even at large event spaces like stadiums and concert venues. They’re classed as high-risk because they either involve dangerous elements, are based over multiple large sites, or hold large groups of people at once.
These factors make it so important to choose the right workplace first aid course, as it needs to suit the working environment you or your team work in.
The toolbox analogy
Emergency First Aid at Work provides you with the essential tools needed to treat common emergencies. When you need to respond quickly, take action and support the injured individual until help arrives.
Whereas First Aid at Work is the complete toolkit, where you’re provided with the first aid skills and first aid tools. With this first aid course, you can recognise, assess and manage a much broader range of workplace illnesses, injuries and emergencies that span across various environments.
The toolbox doesn't have to just belong to one person. In many organisations and workplaces, a team approach works best, where a few employees carry the full toolkit through FAW training, while others are equipped with the essential tools through EFAW.
Together, this creates a stronger first aid provision, as having more people able to step forward in an emergency can really help when emergency situations are more complex.
No workplace first aid course is better than the other, but the right choice depends on your individual workplace risks and the level of first aid provision needed. The goal of first aid remains the same: ensuring people have the right skills to provide effective treatment when it’s needed most.
What do both First Aid Courses have in common?
Regardless of which workplace first aid course you pick, first aiders will have:
- Life-saving CPR skills
- How to use an automated external defibrillator (AED)
- How to manage severe bleeding
- Gain HSE-recognised workplace first aid training
- Receive a first aid trained certificate valid for three years
- Benefit from St John Ambulance’s Good Samaritan insurance once passed
While the first aid content may differ, the outcome is the same: putting the power of first aid into everyone’s hands. Both First Aid at Work and Emergency First Aid at Work give people the first aid knowledge, first aid skills and confidence to quickly respond and take action in critical moments. Creating more prepared and safer workplaces, because when an emergency strikes, having the right people on hand can make all the difference.
Our First Aid Training Courses
Emergency First Aid at Work
First Aid at Work
First Aid at Work Requalification
Paediatric First Aid
Schools First Aid
First Aid & Specialist Trauma (FAST) Level 3
Our First Aid Training Courses
Discover and learn lifesaving skills with expert-led training. Empowering more people to make a difference.
Shop our training coursesWhich workplace sounds most like yours?
“Our team mainly works at desks”
If your workplace is office-based and low-risk with few workplace hazards, the Emergency First Aid at Work may be the right course to provide the level of first aid cover your workplace needs.
Examples of low-risk environments include:
- Offices
- Small retail environments
- Reception-based environments
- Libraries
“Our team works with heavy equipment, machinery or physical hazards”
If there is a greater likelihood of injury or illness due to the nature of the workplace, the First Aid at Work course is the right choice. Especially if you work in industries like the below:
- Construction sites
- Warehouses
- Restaurants
- Manufacturing facilities
Emergencies don’t come with warning. Whether it’s a burn in the office from hot soup, a fall off a ladder in a shop or a serious injury in a busy worksite, having the right first aid training for your workplace can make a huge difference.
It’s important to understand which first aid course is right for you, because it will mean equipping your employees with the right first aid skills and the confidence to take action when someone needs help most.
What happens in a real emergency?
It’s easy to believe that first aid training is something you’ll never need, because it will “never happen to you”, but emergencies can happen at any time, at any workplace. It’s also not about when an emergency will happen, but whether there is someone nearby who will know what to do when it does.
To gain a better understanding of what type of first aid course will suit your workplace, we’ve put together some emergency scenarios.
Scenario 1: The office collapse
A colleague suddenly collapses and becomes unresponsive during a team meeting. People are unsure what to do next, they’re afraid to make things worse and simply do not have the confidence to act.
However, an EFAW-trained first aider steps in and takes control of the situation by:
- Assessing the casualty and clearing the scene
- Calling for emergency help
- Beginning CPR if needed
- Using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) if needed
- Reassuring the casualty and those around the scene
Using these lifesaving skills that form part of the Emergency First Aid at Work course can make a crucial difference in those first few minutes before emergency services arrive.
Although you may not want to be in a situation when first aid skills are needed, knowing how to respond quickly and calmly can help improve the outcome and provide the casualty the best possible chance of receiving timely care.
Scenario 2: The warehouse injury
A warehouse worker slips while they’re carrying heavy stock and falls awkwardly, landing hard on their arm and shoulder. They’re reporting severe pain, and their colleagues are concerned that they may have a fracture.
A FAW-trained first aider quickly steps in to:
- Approach calmly and assess the casualty and their surroundings
- Identify any signs of a serious injury
- Help minimise further harm
- Call for emergency services
- Monitor the casualty’s condition
- Provide appropriate first aid while waiting for medical professionals
Since First Aid at Work training courses cover a wide range of workplace injuries, learners develop the knowledge needed to respond to incidents that may be more complex than everyday emergencies.
Scenario 3: The construction site incident
A worker suffers a significant fall from a great height and has potentially sustained serious injuries to their back, head and limbs.
In a critical situation like this, every decision matters and quick thinking is important. When you’re trained in First Aid at Work, a first aider will be able to identify any signs of a serious injury, manage the situation calmly and appropriately, and ensure the injured person receives the proper care while waiting for emergency services. Any wrong movement could cause greater harm to the casualty, so it’s crucial to know what steps to take.
This broader scope of first aid training is one of the most important reasons why First Aid at Work is a common choice for industries that deal with higher levels of risk. To ensure a first aider is always prepared for when an emergency strikes.
Scenario 4: When it’s not an injury
However, not every workplace emergency is caused by an accident.
A colleague may suffer an allergic reaction and start experiencing breathing difficulties. Or someone might suddenly become confused, struggle to speak, and one side of their face starts to droop, indicating a potential stroke.
These situations are frightening, especially if no one recognises what’s happening. By being trained on a First Aid at Work course, you’ll have been taught a much wider range of medical conditions, emergencies and illnesses, giving you the first aid skills and first aid knowledge to identify the best course of action to minimise the severity of the injury.
One goal: creating a safer workplace
Both First Aid at Work and Emergency First Aid at Work training courses put the power of first aid in your hands. Whether it’s the confidence to act quickly or the first aid knowledge to treat the injured person until further help arrives. The only difference is the range of situations you’re prepared to deal with.
While Emergency First Aid at Work focuses on essential emergency response skills, ideal for low-risk workplaces, First Aid at Work provides more comprehensive first aid training across a wider range of injuries and workplace emergency scenarios – making it ideal for high-risk workplaces.
You can also opt for the blended courses, for extra flexibility, where you can complete online learning at your own pace and experience expert-led, practical training in person.
Whichever first aid training course you choose, having a first aider on site means your team is better prepared for when the unexpected happens and knows how to respond when every second counts.
Questions about First Aid Training
Is First Aid at Work better than Emergency First Aid at Work?
No course is better than the other. FAW and EFAW are designed for different workplace needs. So, the best choice depends on your workplace's needs, risks, size and first aid requirements.
How long does a First Aid at Work course take?
Our FAW training course is a 3-day course and provides more in-depth first aid training, covering a wider range of workplace injuries and medical conditions.
How long does an Emergency First Aid at Work course take?
Our EFAW is a 1-day course that provides learners with the confidence and skills to respond to workplace injuries and emergencies.
Can I take a blended first aid course?
Absolutely. We offer an array of Blended First Aid courses that combine online learning with practical classroom training. Allowing learners to complete first aid modules at their own pace, before attending their face-to-face practical sessions.
What's the difference between blended and classroom first aid training?
Classroom training takes place entirely in person with a first aid trainer, whereas blended learning combines online study and classroom-based practice.
How often do First Aid training certificates need reneweing?
Both FAW and EFAW certificates are valid for three years, just before it expires, you should complete a refresher training course, to maintain workplace first aid cover.
Do both FAW and EFAW include CPR and AED training?
Yes, both first aid training courses cover essential lifesaving skills like CPR training and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
Can I complete FAW or EFAW online only?
No. Workplace first aid training requires practical assessment and skills training. Although some learning can be completed online, learners still need to attend face-to-face training sessions.
Can multiple employees take different first aid courses?
Yes. Many workplaces choose a mix of FAW and EFAW-trained first aiders. This can help ensure appropriate first aid cover across different teams, locations and workplace risks.
Is EFAW suitable for office workers?
Yes. EFAW is commonly chosen for those operating in low-risk workplaces, including offices, small retail environments and customer-facing settings.
