There are no certainties in life – you never know when someone will have an emergency and be in need of your help. The EFR course addresses that situation, and is a one day first response primary care (CPR) as well as a first aid course combined into one. After the course, you will be have the knowledge and confidence to help in a number of situations ranging from the mundane (cuts, abrasions and minor fractures) to life-threatening situations, such as traffic accidents, serious falls, heart attacks, choking or drowning.
The EFR course only lasts one day, and often precedes the PADI rescue diver course, as you need to have some sort of formalized first aid training before you can enroll in the rescue diver course. If you already have previous First Aid training, you may at the discretion of your instructor use that instead of the EFR course, provided it’s been no more than 24 months since you completed the course, you have proof of completion (a certificate or similar), and your course covered CPR.