Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Emergency First Response?
A: Emergency First Response is a new first aid program brought to you by Emergency First Response Corp., a PADI corporate affiliate. Composed of the Primary Care (CPR) and Secondary Care (first aid) courses, the Emergency First Response program provides extensive CPR and first aid instruction, as well as a recommended Automated External Defibrillator (AED) component, conscious choking adult skill and emergency oxygen use orientation.

Q: Who can take an Emergency First Response provider course?
A: Anyone interested in acquiring or updating CPR and first aid skills.

Q: Where can I take an Emergency First Response course?
A: Contact your local PADI Dive Center or Resort.

Q: What does the Emergency First Response program include?
A: Emergency First Response Primary Care (CPR)
This course covers emergency care for most life threatening emergencies. Participants focus on primary care through knowledge development, skills development and realistic scenario practice. The major skills learned in this course are:

• Scene Assessment
• Barrier Use
• Primary Assessment
• Rescue Breathing
• One Rescuer, Adult Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Serious Bleeding Management
• Shock Management
• Spinal Injury Management

You might also perform the recommended Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Orientation, learn how to tend to a conscious choking adult or have an orientation to emergency oxygen use.

Emergency First Response Secondary Care (first aid)
This course covers injuries or illnesses that are not immediately life threatening or when local EMS is unavailable or delayed. Participants focus on secondary assessments and the appropriate first aid through knowledge development, skills development and realistic scenario practice. Skills include:

• Injury Assessment
• Illness Assessment
• Bandaging
• Splinting for Dislocations and Fractures

Q: How much does it cost?
A: Program costs are determined by individual instructors, and they vary.

Q: What is an AED and why would I want to learn about it?
A: Automated External Defibrillators, or AEDs, are crucial to the chain of survival, because they can provide for early defibrillation if a victim’s heart stops beating. Without an AED available, a responder can only help keep oxygenated blood flowing at a minimal level through CPR until EMS personnel arrive to defibrillate the patient. AEDs are easy-to-use, portable machines that automatically deliver a shock to the patient without a heartbeat, and when in the hands of a knowledgeable responder, it means in many cases the heart can be defibrillated before EMS arrives, enhancing the chance of revival. Because early defibrillation is so important, many businesses, government agencies and public places are making AEDs readily available for properly trained personnel.

Q: What is the recommended AED training component?
A: Because early defibrillation is so important to the chain of survival, AEDs are becoming more common. The recommended AED component gives participants practical experience in AED use. Your instructor will decide if this training will be included in your course.

Q: How long is the course?
A: It varies depending on how your course is conducted. For example, if your course incorporates independent study, it might be as short as three to four hours for both Primary and Secondary Care courses. If your course does not incorporate independent study, it could take from five to eight hours. Since the course is performance-based other factors, such as the number of participants, whether recommended skills are included, the number of mannequins available and how quickly participants master the skills practice sessions, will also determine course length.

Q: What are the required course materials?
A: Emergency First Response is supported by a full contingent of educational materials:

• Basic Crew-Pak. Includes Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care Manual (with independent study section, skill workbook and reference guide) and a vinyl binder.
• Deluxe Crew-Pak. Includes Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care Manual (with independent study section, skill workbook and reference guide) a zip binder and the First Aid Pack.
• First Aid Pack. Includes rolls, bandages, gauze, gloves and mouth barrier. Is available as part of the Deluxe Crew-Pak or a la carte.
• Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care Video.

Q: How do I get more information about Emergency First Response?
A: Visit padi.com or your local PADI Dive Center or Resort.

Q:  What is the contact information for the various Emergency First Response offices?
A:  Please click here for contact information.