Yes, you can. The EFR course is designed for complete beginners, divers and non-divers alike, and requires no prior medical or emergency response experience. In fact, most people who take the course end up using their skills not while diving, but in everyday life - whether it's helping a family member, assisting a colleague at work, or responding to an accident on the road.

Accidents can happen anytime, anywhere, and in a real emergency every second matters. With EFR training, you'll gain practical, hands-on experience in CPR, AED use, bandaging, splinting, and illness and injury assessment, so you know exactly what to do. These are life skills that go far beyond scuba diving, giving you the confidence to act when it matters most.

While EFR is a standalone course useful for anyone, it is also a required certification for those planning to continue with the PADI Rescue Diver and Divemaster courses. More importantly, it equips you with the confidence and skills to help others in real-world scenarios, both in and out of the water.

EFR certifications are valid for two years, after which a refresher is strongly recommended to keep your skills sharp and up to date.

No. During EFR training at UNA, you'll practice skills on specialized mannequins designed specifically for CPR training, using protective barriers like pocket masks to ensure safety and comfort. In reality, you're more likely to perform CPR on someone you know versus a stranger given that approximately 80% of cardiac events happen at home.

Research also shows that when done correctly, chest compressions alone can be just as effective as chest compressions with rescue breaths. That's why hands-on practice with a qualified instructor is so valuable - it builds both confidence and skill for real-life situations.

We recognise that healthcare professionals like doctors, nurses, and paramedics often receive CPR and first aid training during their studies. However, in the years that follow, some medical professionals do not use CPR and first aid skills frequently, causing them to fade over time.

The purpose of Emergency First Response training is to ensure that everyone - regardless of background & experience - has up-to-date, hands-on practice with the latest guidelines. With that in mind, here are a few pointers :

• If you work in an emergency/triage setting and use CPR and first aid regularly, you can provide written confirmation from your facility instead of taking the course again.
• If your initial training was within the past two years, you can submit documentation showing the date and content of the course.
• If your training was over two years ago, you'll need proof of a refresher course. Your instructor will confirm whether it meets the same standards as EFR Primary and Secondary Care.

This way, all participants - whether healthcare professionals or not - enter their next level of training with fresh, reliable skills they can confidently use in real-world emergencies.