NIMASA STCW EFA
NIMASA STCW Elementary First Aid (EFA)
More study resources
Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
ExploreStudy plan
Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
Elementary First Aid (EFA) is one of the four basic safety training competences required under the STCW Convention for seafarers serving on board ship. In Nigeria, the legal framework named on NIMASA's website is the Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) Regulations, 2025, which sits alongside the Merchant Shipping Act 2007 in the Agency's published list of legislation. NIMASA describes itself as the apex regulatory and promotional maritime agency and lists Seafarers Training and Certification, Certificate of Competency issuance and Seafarers Medical Examination among its services, so EFA sits inside a wider certification pathway rather than standing alone. The assessment is intended for deck and engine ratings, cadets and officers who must be able to give immediate, basic casualty care before professional medical help is available, and for anyone renewing or upgrading a Nigerian certificate. Content typically covers scene safety and the primary survey, casualty positioning, recovery position, CPR and rescue breathing, choking, bleeding control and shock, burns, fractures and immobilisation, plus drowning, hypothermia and medical emergency response on board. Preparation means studying the current regulations, working through practical drills with a qualified instructor, and rehearsing casualty scenarios until the sequence is automatic. NIMASA has not published question counts, duration, pass mark, fees or retake rules for this assessment, so confirm those details directly with the Agency or your approved training provider before booking.
What you'll study
About NIMASA STCW EFA preparation
What is the STCW Elementary First Aid course actually for?
It certifies that you can give basic immediate care to an injured or ill person on board until professional help arrives. It is a basic safety training competence required under STCW, and NIMASA lists seafarer training and certification among its regulatory services.
How is the EFA assessment structured?
NIMASA's published material does not state the format, question count or duration for this assessment. Most elementary first aid courses combine a written or oral theory paper with practical casualty scenarios. Confirm the exact structure with your approved training provider before you enrol.
What is the pass mark and can I retake?
The pass mark and retake policy are not published on the NIMASA website, so treat any figure you hear as unverified. Ask the training provider in writing before booking, and check whether a practical re-assessment carries an extra fee.
How long should I spend preparing?
Allow several weeks of part-time study rather than a single weekend. Learn the primary survey sequence, CPR ratios and recovery position first, then bleeding, shock, burns and fractures. Practise hands-on drills, because first aid is assessed on correct technique, not recall alone.
What topics cause the most failures?
Candidates most often lose marks on scene safety, the order of the primary survey, correct recovery position, and infection control such as gloves and barrier devices. Weak compression technique and forgetting to check for danger before approaching a casualty are also common.
Do I need EFA before other STCW basic courses?
Elementary first aid is one of the basic safety training subjects, alongside personal survival techniques, fire prevention and fire fighting, and personal safety and social responsibility. Providers usually schedule them together. Check the order your provider requires, since NIMASA does not publish a mandated sequence.
Is the certificate valid for my whole career?
NIMASA does not publish a validity period for elementary first aid certification on its website. Basic safety training certificates are generally subject to refresher requirements under STCW, so confirm the current Nigerian rule with NIMASA or your provider before your certificate is due.
Where can I verify a certificate issued in Nigeria?
NIMASA's website offers a certificate verification service allowing you to verify certificates issued by the Agency. Use it to confirm the authenticity of your own certificate or one presented to you, rather than relying on paper documents alone.
Which regulation governs my EFA certificate?
NIMASA lists the Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) Regulations, 2025 among Nigeria's maritime legislation, alongside the Merchant Shipping Act 2007. The website gives no effective date or exam parameters, so ask NIMASA which version applies to your intake.