FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What course should I take?

The following are examples of course prerequisites:

  • Early Childhood Education (E.C.E.) programs - Standard First Aid with CPR

  • Police - Standard First Aid with CPR - Level C (Level BLS is recommended)

  • Nursing - Standard First Aid with CPR - Level BLS is required for most college nursing programs. Nurses who are already practicing are required to re-certify only the CPR portion every year.

  • Personal Support Worker (PSW) - Standard First Aid with CPR - Level C (Level BLS is recommended)

  • Dentistry - minimum BLS certificate (formerly CPR-HCP).

  • Athletic therapists - CPR Level C (with yearly re-certification) is required. Standard First Aid with CPR is highly recommended.

  • Personal trainers - CPR Level C (with yearly re-certification is required. Standard First Aid with CPR is highly recommended.

  • Security Guard - Standard First Aid with CPR - Level C

What should I bring to class?

Your instructor provides all the necessary equipment for instructing you in CPR, AED (automated external defibrillator) and First Aid training. However, you may choose to bring a pillow or blanket to kneel on during these training exercises. A lunch break is included but lunch is not provided.

What First Aid training must I provide as an employer in Ontario?

Regulation 1101 states that all employers in Ontario covered by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act are required to have first aid equipment, facilities and trained personnel in all workplaces:

How long are the courses?

  • Standard First Aid with CPR - 14 to 16 hours

  • Emergency First Aid with CPR - 7 to 8 hours

  • CPR Level C - 5 to 6 hours

  • BLS - 4 hours

  • Marine Basic First Aid - 16 hours

When do I receive my certificate?

Your Canadian Red Cross certificate is received following the successful completion of the course and is made available to you electronically by email, through the Red Cross website. Marine Basic First Aid certificates are mailed to you by Transport Canada.

How long are Red Cross certificates valid?

First Aid, CPR, and Basic Marine First Aid certificates are valid for three years. BLS is valid for one year. We recommend retraining every year in order to maintain your skills and knowledge for medical emergencies at work, home, and play.

Is CPR training equivalent to first aid training?

No, CPR training does not cover first aid but it is a mandatory module of every first aid course. Click here for a detailed description of a CPR course.

What is a Re-certification course?

Re-certification (refresher) courses are available for the following Canadian Red Cross certifications:

  • Standard First Aid and CPR, levels A, C, and BLS

  • CPR/AED level A, C, and the BLS course

  • Re-certification is not permitted for Marine Basic First Aid

If you have a valid Red Cross SFA or CPR certificate, you may take a re-certification course. Re-certification courses require less time and costs less than the original certification. You are allowed one re-certification course only and must take the full course once your re-certification expires.

Prerequisite: A valid certificate from the Canadian Red Cross for the same course and level. This must be presented to the instructor prior to starting the course in order to qualify for re-certification.

What are level C and level BLS certifications?

Level C - For adult, child, and infant emergencies.

BLS  (Basic Life Support)  - BLS is a 4-hour, high-performance CPR course designed for dental and medical professionals. BLS is the recognition of and initial intervention or treatment given by pre-hospital or in-facility responders to a patient suffering from cardiac arrest or respiratory arrest and is part of the Professional Responder Program. Certificate holders have a duty to act, and an enhanced regulatory requirement to complete tasks and demonstrate skills in a careful and consistent way.

The BLS Certificate is valid for 1-year. Re-certification courses are available for any student who has a valid BLS certificate. If your BLS certificate has expired, you must take the full BLS course. NOTE: CPR-HCP certificates do not qualify for a BLS re-certification course.  Anyone can take this level of training.

Do have have other questions or comments?  Please contact us for further assistance.