The core difference in one table
| EFAW | FAW | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 1 day | 1 day online + 2 days in person |
| Typical setting | Independent hospitality, shops, offices, lower-risk sites | Busier commercial kitchens, warehouses, larger or higher-risk sites |
| What's covered | Primary survey, CPR and AED use, choking, burns, cuts and bleeding, shock, allergic reactions, seizures | Everything in EFAW, plus fractures, spinal injuries, head injuries, heart attack, stroke, asthma, diabetes, anaphylaxis and chemical or eye injuries |
| Certificate validity | 3 years, HSE-recognised | 3 years, HSE-recognised |
| Requalification | 1-day refresher | 1 day online + 1 day in person, within the 28-day window before expiry |
When EFAW is enough
EFAW meets the HSE requirement for at least one trained first aider in most lower-risk workplaces. That covers the large majority of independent cafes, restaurants, bars and small hospitality sites, along with many shops and low-risk offices. It's built around the injuries these settings actually see: burns and scalds, choking, cuts and bleeding from knives or glassware, allergic reactions, and shock.
When you need FAW
FAW is the right call once your needs assessment points to higher risk or a larger operation, typically busier commercial kitchens with more equipment and heat sources, warehouses and distribution sites, and workplaces with 50 or more staff. It builds directly on EFAW, adding depth on medical emergencies and injuries that need a longer syllabus to cover properly.
What about mixed-risk workplaces?
Plenty of real workplaces don't fall neatly into one category. Gyms, for example, are moderate risk overall, but the likelihood of a physical injury during a session is higher than in an office, so many gyms train at least one FAW first aider per shift and back them up with EFAW-trained staff for general cover. Nurseries sit in a similar spot: the general risk level is often lower, but the audience is children, which usually points toward Paediatric First Aid alongside, or instead of, standard EFAW or FAW.
A common, practical approach for larger or mixed sites is a small number of FAW-trained leads covering higher-risk areas or busier shifts, with a wider base of EFAW-trained staff for everyday cover.
Don't guess, run the needs assessment first
The course you choose should follow from your first-aid needs assessment, not the other way round. If you haven't worked through that yet, our companion post, how many first aiders does your workplace actually need, walks through exactly what UK law requires and how to reach a sensible number before you book anything. And whichever course you land on, the actual techniques taught are kept deliberately simple, see why first aid is designed to be simple, not complicated for a plain-English run-through.
Quick answers by sector
- Hospitality (independent cafe, restaurant, bar): EFAW usually covers it, move to FAW for larger or busier kitchens
- Nursery or childcare: Paediatric First Aid alongside EFAW or FAW, driven by the age of the children in your care
- Industrial, warehouse or trade: FAW is the common baseline once machinery or manual handling risks are involved
- Gym or leisure: Often a mix, FAW for at least one first aider per shift, EFAW for wider staff cover
Sources
Related courses
Frequently asked questions
Can I just do FAW to be safe even if EFAW would meet requirements?
Yes, you can always choose the more comprehensive course. Some employers do this for peace of mind or because they expect their risk profile to grow. It costs more and takes longer, 3 days rather than 1, so it's worth weighing against simply completing an honest needs assessment first.
Does FAW replace EFAW or build on it?
FAW builds on EFAW. It covers everything in the EFAW syllabus, such as CPR, choking, bleeding and shock, plus additional content like fractures, spinal injuries, heart attack, stroke, asthma, diabetes and anaphylaxis in more depth.
How long do EFAW and FAW certificates last?
Both EFAW and FAW certificates are HSE-recognised for 3 years from the date of the course, after which a first aider needs to requalify to keep their certificate current.
Can our team mix EFAW and FAW-trained first aiders?
Yes, and many workplaces do exactly this. A common approach is one or two FAW-trained leads for higher-risk areas or shifts, alongside a wider base of EFAW-trained staff for general day-to-day cover.