PADI Emergency First Response Instructor Course
What is the Emergency First Response Instructor (EFRI) Course?
Become the person who can confidently teach CPR and First Aid in a calm, supportive environment. The Emergency First Response Instructor (EFRI) course develops your ability to present, demonstrate, and coach life-saving skills to students from any background. You’ll learn how to deliver Emergency First Response programmes in a professional, widely applicable way – practical, structured, and valuable well beyond the dive industry.
You’ll be using a performance-based teaching approach - demonstrate skills, coach students through practice, and guide realistic scenarios with clear feedback. This programme focuses on how to teach and assess Primary Care (CPR), Secondary Care (First Aid), and, where applicable, Care for Children. You will also cover course set-up, required documentation, and quality assurance so you can deliver training consistently and professionally.
Course information
Course prerequisites and age limits
Participants must be 18 years old and have completed CPR and First Aid training within the past 24 months (Primary & Secondary Care or equivalent) and be medically fit to train and teach in a practical environment.
EFR Instructor course outline
The EFR Instructor course consists of two phases:
E-Learning: Knowledge development sessions cover the following:
- Complete the online knowledge development before your contact session. It takes approximately 2 days to complete (time may vary).
- This ensures your contact time can focus on teaching techniques, skill coaching and realistic scenarios.
- Knowledge reviews must be completed before the start of practical teaching workshops.
DAY 1: We will cover the topics listed below.
- Role of an Emergency First Response Instructor and course philosophy
- Standards, safety, and duty of care
- Course set-up, materials, and administration
- Structuring knowledge development sessions
- Skill demonstration and coaching techniques
- Primary Care (CPR) instructional presentation and skill coaching
- Secondary Care (First Aid) instructional presentation and skill coaching
DAY 2: We will cover the topics listed below.
- CPR & AED overview (where applicable)
- Care for Children overview (where applicable)
- Scenario management and performance evaluation
- Paperwork, documentation, and certification processing
- Customer experience, risk management, and marketing basics
- Practice teaching presentations (coaching + feedback)
- Final review and course wrap
Frequently asked questions
The Emergency First Response Instructor (EFRI) Course takes two days to complete. Days typically start at 08h00 in the foyer of the Aquarium where your Instructor will meet you, and finish around 16h00.
In order to do the Emergency First Response Instructor (EFRI) course, you need to be reasonably healthy and relatively fit.
Please be advised that you may not do this course and dive if you are planning to fly within 24 hours after the dive.
We provide everything you will need on the day, including all gear, study material, and hot showers and towels.
All you need to bring along is a swimsuit and a reusable water bottle.
Please arrive at the Two Oceans Aquarium 15 minutes before your course starts. You may report to our Visitor Centre just inside the main entrance and the Dive School team will meet you.
The Two Oceans Aquarium Dive School is a certified PADI Dive Centre and your one-stop-shop for all things scuba diving in Cape Town.
PADI is the world’s leading scuba diver training organisation. As a certified PADI Dive Centre, the Two Oceans Aquarium Dive School meets all the stringent health, safety and quality requirements as set out by PADI.
Emergency First Response (EFR) training is built on the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) guidelines and is recognised by leading safety and professional organisations worldwide.
Workplace safety and government bodies
- OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration, USA)
- HSE (Health and Safety Executive, Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
- United States Coast Guard (USCG) for maritime licensure
- Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) via the PADI Registered Training Organisation
Professional and youth organisations
- Girl Scouts USA and Boy Scouts of America
- Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (International)
- National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
- American Council on Exercise (ACE)
Medical and scientific standards
- American Heart Association (AHA)
- European Resuscitation Council (ERC)
- International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR)
Adventure and industry partners
- PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors)
- SkillsActive (UK)
- Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA)
Please read our terms and conditions and make sure you are eligible to dive before making your dive booking:
Failing to produce your official dive qualification (e.g., dive card) on the day of the dive, your dive will be cancelled, and you will be liable for the full amount. We can only check your dive qualification online if you are PADI or SSI certified.
Do not book if you are not sure about your dive qualification, as this will result in forfeiting the entire dive fee. If you are unsure, please contact us on dive@aquarium.co.za to ensure you book the right experience for your qualification level.
If you have a valid dive qualification but have not dived for over 6 months, you will be required to complete a refresher course on the day of your dive. This will be done at the Aquarium.
The Aquarium entrance fee is included in the rate for the diver/s on the day/s of their dive/s.
Cancellation policy
Please note that PADI courses are non-refundable. The Two Oceans Aquarium Dive School requests proof of payment as well as a completed booking form to secure your preferred dates.