Basic Emergency First Aid Responder Course (NQF 2) in South Africa
The Basic Emergency First Aid Responder Skills Programme (SP-230801) prepares you to act first when someone is hurt or ill at work. You learn to make an incident scene safe, check an affected person for life-threatening conditions, perform CPR, use an AED, help a choking person, control bleeding and place an unconscious person in the recovery position, then hand the person over to emergency medical services with the right information.
It is a QCTO skills programme at NQF Level 2 with 2 credits (1 knowledge, 1 practical), and the Health and Welfare SETA (HWSETA) is the quality partner. There is no formal entry requirement, so it suits first-time first aiders. This basic first aid course is delivered from Wheelset Academy's Pretoria and Kempton Park branches and is the entry rung before the Intermediate and Advanced programmes.
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What the Basic Emergency First Aid Responder course covers
The 2-credit skills programme is built from one knowledge module (1 credit) and one practical skill module (1 credit). Each module is designed to be delivered in about ten notional hours.
Knowledge module · 1 credit
Fundamental Concepts and Principles of Basic Emergency First Aid
- Purpose, principles and objectives of basic first aid, including the ABCs: Airway, Breathing, Circulation (10% of time)
- Applied basic first aid: scene safety, assessment, communication, handover, record keeping and post-scene cleanup (20%)
- The respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous, musculoskeletal and integumentary systems and how injuries to them threaten life (30%)
- Recognising emergencies, injuries and illnesses and treating them: bleeding, choking, CPR and AED, unconsciousness, shock, fractures, burns, heart attack and stroke, heat and cold, poisoning, bites and stings (40%)
Practical skill module · 1 credit
Provide Basic Emergency First Aid
- Assess an emergency scene and make it safe for entry and basic first aid
- Assess and manage breathing difficulties: perform CPR, use an AED and manage a choking person
- Assess and manage bleeding, wounds and burns
- Assess and manage unconsciousness and place a person in the recovery position
- Assess and manage traumatic injuries, including fractures and shock
- Communicate with the patient and stakeholders, hand over to emergency medical personnel with documentation, and clean up the scene
Learners who complete both modules and pass the required assessments receive a QCTO skills programme certificate. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is available for learners who can show the required competencies.
Practise under pressure before you face a real emergency
The practical module is taught through an essential task instruction method: you see each skill demonstrated, practise it step by step, repeat it, and receive feedback. Simulations use realistic scenarios, role-play and time pressure so the first time you manage a choking or cardiac arrest scenario is not the real thing.
Scenarios and role-play
Take turns as first aider, patient and bystander in indoor and outdoor scenarios, including choking, bleeding, fractures, allergic reactions and unconsciousness.
Real equipment
Work with manikins of different sizes, an AED trainer, rescue masks, splints, triangular bandages and a stocked first aid kit rather than only reading about them.
Debrief and feedback
After each simulation your facilitator discusses what went well, what to correct and what to repeat, so techniques are reinforced before assessment.
Primary assessment, CPR, bleeding control and handover in practice
- Assess an incident scene for hazards and decide whether it is safe to enter
- Call for additional emergency resources and get authorisation to enter where required
- Check an affected person for life-threatening conditions using primary and secondary assessment
- Perform CPR on an adult, child and infant manikin and use an AED trainer
- Help a choking person and manage breathing difficulties
- Control severe bleeding, and treat wounds and burns
- Recognise shock and treat it with basic first aid
- Place an unconscious person in the recovery position
- Manage sprains, strains, fractures and dislocations
- Recognise a heart attack or stroke and act until help arrives
- Communicate calmly with the patient, bystanders and emergency services
- Hand over with documentation, then clean up the scene
QCTO Skills Programme vs. a short first aid course
Most first aid courses in South Africa run for two days and are called Level 1. Use this to see how the registered QCTO skills programme is described.
| Consideration | Basic Emergency First Aid Responder | Typical short first aid course |
|---|---|---|
| Formal recognition | QCTO skills programme SP-230801, NQF Level 2, 2 credits, with HWSETA as quality partner | Often marketed as “Level 1” with the NQF level and credits not always published |
| Structure | A knowledge module and a practical skill module, each assessed against defined criteria | Usually a two-day classroom and practical course |
| Practical proof of skill | Simulated emergencies with manikins, an AED trainer and role-play, assessed against set criteria | Varies; often a practical demonstration and a short written test |
| Entry | Open access, with RPL available | Usually open to anyone |
| Where it leads | Intermediate (NQF 3) and Advanced (NQF 4) Emergency First Aid Responder programmes | Often a refresher cycle with no stated next step |
| Best suited to | Employees and new first aiders who want a recognised, credit-bearing first aid skills programme | Someone who needs a quick certificate or a refresher |
If you're not sure which fits your situation, contact admissions before applying — see the contact details below.
Verify this programme yourself
Page information reviewed: 25 October 2026.
Skills Programme SP-230801
This is a QCTO skills programme, identified by its Skills Programme ID (SP-230801) and curriculum code (900232-000-00-00). Skills programmes are not given a SAQA qualification ID. Some providers call this course “First Aid Level 1” and the registered programme is NQF Level 2, so confirm the programme code and credit value in writing before you pay. In South Africa, only providers accredited by the QCTO or a SETA and approved by the Department of Employment and Labour may present first aid training.
The curriculum also sets out the conditions a provider must meet: facilitators hold a valid Intermediate Emergency First Aid certificate and registration, with at least three years' practical experience as a first aider. The ratio is 1 facilitator to 20 learners for knowledge and 1 to 15 for practical, with training manikins in different sizes and an AED trainer.
Check QCTO accreditation · SAQA · Wheelset Academy accreditations page
Basic first aider career pathways
The programme is linked to the occupation First Aid Attendant (also called First Aider). It suits people who are, or will be, appointed as workplace first aiders, and it is a useful credential in industries that need first aid cover, such as:
- First Aider
- Security Officer
- Hospitality and Hotel Staff
- Gym and Sports Club Staff
- Adventure Tourism Staff
- Office and Retail Staff
- Construction Site Worker
- Safety Representative
For further study, the next programmes are Intermediate Emergency First Aid Responder (NQF Level 3) and Advanced Emergency First Aid Responder (NQF Level 4). The curriculum also points to first responder, CPR and wilderness first aid courses. Confirm progression options with admissions.
Job titles vary by employer and experience. A skills programme supports career preparation but does not guarantee a specific title, salary or appointment.
Basic Emergency First Aid Responder course FAQs
What is the Basic Emergency First Aid Responder course?
It is a QCTO skills programme (SP-230801) at NQF Level 2 with 2 credits. It teaches you to assess an emergency scene, check an affected person, perform CPR, use an AED, manage choking and bleeding, and hand over to emergency medical services.
Is this the same as First Aid Level 1?
Many providers call the entry first aid course “Level 1”. The registered programme is the Basic Emergency First Aid Responder at NQF Level 2. Confirm the programme code on your certificate and quote.
What are the entry requirements?
The programme is open access, so there is no formal entry requirement. If you are asked for a prior qualification, check with admissions.
How many credits does the programme carry, and how long does it take?
2 credits in total: 1 knowledge credit and 1 practical credit, delivered in a blended format. Each module is designed for about ten notional hours. This is a calculation from the curriculum, not a confirmed intake length, so confirm the schedule with admissions.
What will I learn in the knowledge module?
The purpose and ABCs of first aid, scene safety and assessment, the legal and ethical limits of a basic first aider, the main body systems, and how to recognise and treat common emergencies such as bleeding, choking, shock, fractures, burns, heart attack, stroke and poisoning.
What practical skills will I practise?
You practise making a scene safe, managing breathing difficulties with CPR, an AED and choking relief, controlling bleeding, managing unconsciousness and traumatic injuries, communicating with people at the scene, handing over to emergency medical personnel and cleaning up afterwards.
Will I practise on a real person?
No. Practice uses manikins of different sizes, an AED trainer, role-play and simulated injuries, with feedback after each simulation.
Does a basic first aider replace a paramedic?
No. The role is limited to a strictly regulated scope of basic first aid while you keep the person safe, call for help and hand over to emergency services.
Where can I go after this programme?
The next programmes are Intermediate Emergency First Aid Responder (NQF Level 3) and Advanced Emergency First Aid Responder (NQF Level 4). Confirm progression options with admissions.
Who quality-assures this programme?
It is a QCTO skills programme, with the Health and Welfare SETA (HWSETA) as the quality partner. Confirm Wheelset Academy's accreditation scope with admissions or the QCTO before enrolling.
How do I apply?
Review the current fees and intake information, then submit your application through Wheelset Academy's online application page. Admissions can confirm the programme duration, check your documents and confirm accreditation scope before registration is finalised.
Ready to be the first person who knows what to do?
Apply for the Basic Emergency First Aid Responder course, or compare it against the Intermediate and Advanced programmes first.
Programme information reviewed: 25 October 2026. The programme identifier, curriculum code, NQF level, credit values and entry requirement above reflect the QCTO curriculum document. No SAQA ID is shown because skills programmes do not carry one. The duration is not yet confirmed. Fees, intakes, delivery mode and accreditation scope can change and should be confirmed with Wheelset Academy before enrolment.