What Does EFAW Stand For? First Aid Acronyms Explained
27 October 2026 · 4 min read · Amber Training
Reviewed for accuracy by a qualified Amber Training first aid trainer.
EFAW stands for Emergency First Aid at Work. It is the one-day workplace first aid qualification, with at least six hours of teaching, and it trains first aiders for lower-risk workplaces such as offices, shops and charities. The regulated version is a Level 3 Award, and the certificate lasts three years.
You will also see FAW, which stands for First Aid at Work: the three-day qualification for higher-risk workplaces. The rest of this guide explains the other letters that appear on first aid certificates, course listings and HSE guidance.
EFAW: Emergency First Aid at Work
Emergency First Aid at Work covers what a first aider must do in the minutes before an ambulance arrives. The course teaches:
- the role of the first aider and how to assess an incident safely;
- CPR and how to use a defibrillator;
- the recovery position for someone unresponsive and breathing;
- choking in adults;
- bleeding, shock and minor wounds;
- seizures.
On the certificate it appears in full, for example FAA Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (RQF). Our guide to what an Emergency First Aid at Work course covers lists the full content.
FAW: First Aid at Work
First Aid at Work is the three-day qualification, with 18 hours of teaching. It includes everything in Emergency First Aid at Work and adds fractures, burns, head and spinal injuries, eye injuries, poisoning, heart attacks, strokes, asthma, diabetes and anaphylaxis. A FAW requalification is the two-day course that renews a First Aid at Work certificate before it expires.
Which one your first aiders need depends on your first aid needs assessment, not on headcount alone. Our guide to Emergency First Aid at Work or First Aid at Work explains how to choose.
Other acronyms you will see
| Acronym | Stands for | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| AED | Automated external defibrillator | The device used with CPR on someone in cardiac arrest. Taught on both workplace courses |
| CPR | Cardiopulmonary resuscitation | Chest compressions and rescue breaths to keep blood and oxygen moving |
| HSE | Health and Safety Executive | The regulator for workplace health and safety in Great Britain |
| L74 | HSE's guidance on the First Aid Regulations | The document that explains what employers must provide |
| RQF | Regulated Qualifications Framework | Shows the qualification is regulated by Ofqual in England |
| FAA | First Aid Awards | The awarding organisation behind FAA Level 3 first aid qualifications |
| AP | Appointed person | Someone who takes charge of first aid arrangements in a low-risk workplace, without a first aid qualification |
| PFA / EPFA | Paediatric First Aid / Emergency Paediatric First Aid | Courses for people who look after babies and children |
| MHFA | Mental Health First Aid | Training to support someone in mental distress. It does not replace physical first aid |
| RIDDOR | Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 | The rules on which incidents must be reported to HSE |
"Level 3" is the level of the qualification on the RQF, not a third course in a series. Both workplace courses are Level 3, so the full title on the certificate tells you which one a person holds. Our guide to first aid qualifications for employers covers this in more detail.
Do you need EFAW for your workplace?
Most offices, shops and other lower-risk workplaces with fewer than 50 staff can meet the law with first aiders trained in Emergency First Aid at Work. Larger or higher-risk workplaces often need First Aid at Work. The free first aid needs calculator suggests how many first aiders you need and which course, based on HSE guidance.
We deliver Emergency First Aid at Work at your venue for up to 12 staff in one day, anywhere in England. Every delegate who passes receives an Ofqual-regulated FAA Level 3 Award, issued through Nuco Training and valid for three years. See the Emergency First Aid at Work course or book training. No payment until your booking is confirmed.
This article is general guidance, not legal advice. Base your provision on your own first aid needs assessment.
Frequently asked questions
What does EFAW stand for?
EFAW stands for Emergency First Aid at Work. It is the one-day workplace first aid qualification, with at least six hours of teaching, for first aiders in lower-risk workplaces such as offices and shops. The regulated version is a Level 3 Award, and the certificate lasts three years.
What does FAW stand for?
FAW stands for First Aid at Work. It is the three-day workplace first aid qualification, with 18 hours of teaching, for higher-risk workplaces. It covers everything in Emergency First Aid at Work plus injuries and illnesses such as fractures, burns, head and spinal injuries, and heart attacks.
What is the difference between EFAW and FAW?
Emergency First Aid at Work is one day and covers the emergencies a first aider must handle until help arrives. First Aid at Work is three days and adds a wider range of injuries and illnesses. Your first aid needs assessment decides which one your first aiders need. Both certificates last three years.
What does RQF mean on a first aid certificate?
RQF stands for Regulated Qualifications Framework, the framework Ofqual uses for regulated qualifications in England. A certificate for a Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (RQF) shows the qualification is regulated and sits at Level 3 on that framework.
What does AED stand for?
AED stands for automated external defibrillator. It is the device that analyses the heart's rhythm and, if needed, delivers a shock. Using an AED is taught on both the Emergency First Aid at Work and First Aid at Work courses.
Book Emergency First Aid at Work for your team
Emergency First Aid at Work: 1 day at your venue, £550 per session for up to 12 staff, including trainer, equipment, certificates and travel.
Ofqual-regulated certificates. No payment until your booking is confirmed. Confirmation by email within one working day. Private sessions for your team, not public courses.