Elementary First Aid (STCW Code A-VI/1-3)

Elementary First Aid (EFA) is one of the four elements of STCW basic training, alongside Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting and Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities. Its standard of competence is set out in Table A-VI/1-3 of the STCW Code, under the competence “take immediate action upon encountering an accident or other medical emergency”. In the UK the MCA issues a separate Certificate of Proficiency for each element. MSN 1865 (M) Amendment 1 says that for an EFA certificate you must be at least 16 and complete the training with an MCA approved training provider.

Booking EFA on its own

Most new crew take EFA inside a full STCW Basic Safety Training course. The dates on this page include schools that also sell EFA as a stand-alone module, which helps if you need to complete one missing element or want to spread basic training around work. An EFA certificate on its own is not full basic training: MSN 1865 (M) Amendment 1 requires all four elements before you are assigned shipboard duties with designated safety or pollution-prevention responsibilities.

Not the same as Medical First Aid

EFA is the first aid element every seafarer with safety duties completes. Proficiency in Medical First Aid is a separate certificate for crew with designated duties to provide medical first aid, set out in section A-VI/4 of the STCW Code. EFA is also not on the MSN 1865 (M) Amendment 1 list of courses that serving seafarers must update every five years, which covers Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, survival craft and rescue boats, fast rescue boats and advanced fire fighting.

Single-module dates on this page

Stream Marine Training in Paisley publishes one-day EFA courses running from 09:00 to 15:30 at £125 excluding VAT (£150 including VAT). Flying Fish in Cowes lists EFA start dates on its course page without a price, so check the fee on the school’s own page. Seascope France in Golfe-Juan also sells EFA as a single module. Confirm the date, price and joining instructions with the school before you travel.

Facts on this page come from MSN 1865 (M) Amendment 1 (Maritime and Coastguard Agency, published 19 December 2022, in force from 10 January 2023) and from each school’s own booking page, read on 21 October 2026.