What Level of First Aid & CPR Training Do I Need?
Choosing the right level of First Aid and CPR training can be crucial, whether for personal knowledge or professional requirements. This guide will help you understand the differences between various training levels – Standard First Aid, Emergency First Aid, CPR, and Basic Life Support (BLS) – and assist you in determining which one aligns with your needs. All of the courses mentioned on this page can be taken with First Aid Connect, an accredited training provider with the Canadian Red Cross and the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada. Check out the different levels and how to book below!
Overview of First Aid & CPR Training Levels
The reason we have different levels of First Aid & CPR training, is to ensure that participants are able to choose the course best suited for their needs. Our courses offer varying levels of information and comprehensiveness with training suitable for everyone. There are various reasons as to why a participant might need first aid training, whether it’s for work, school, or their own personal reasons. In the sections below we’ve outlined the most common courses, their contents, and how to register for them!
Standard First Aid Training & CPR / AED Level C Training
Our Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C training is a comprehensive course that covers first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills. This course is perfect for those who need training due to work requirements or who want more knowledge to respond to emergencies at home. Our blended course meets legislation requirements set by the WSIB (provincial/territorial worker safety and insurance boards) and includes the latest first aid and CPR guidelines outlined by the Canadian Red Cross.
Course content includes:
- The Red Cross
- Preparing to respond
- The EMS system
- Check, Call, Care Airway emergencies
- Breathing and Circulation emergencies (Including CPR skills and AED Usage)
- First aid for respiratory and cardiac arrest
- Wound care
- Head and spine injuries
- Bone, muscle, and joint injuries
- Sudden Medical Emergencies
- Environmental Emergencies
- Poisons (includes opioid poisoning)
If you’re interested in registering for our Standard First Aid & CPR / AED Level C course please feel free to check our available dates here! If you’re interested in recertifying an existing certification, we also offer that here!
Emergency First Aid Training & CPR / AED Level C Training
Our Canadian Red Cross Emergency First Aid & CPR/AED Level C training is a course offering lifesaving first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills for the workplace or home. Our course meets legislation requirements set by the WSIB (provincial/territorial worker safety and insurance boards) and includes the latest first aid and CPR guidelines outlined by the Canadian Red Cross.
Course content includes:
- The Red Cross
- Preparing to respond
- The EMS system
- Check, Call, Care
- Airway emergencies
- Breathing and Circulation emergencies (Including CPR skills and AED Usage)
- First aid for respiratory and cardiac arrest
- Wound care
- Opioid Poisoning Awareness Information
CPR Training
Our Canadian Red Cross course on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) provides the skills needed to recognize and respond to cardiovascular emergencies and choking for adults, children, and babies depending on the level of CPR chosen. Courses meet legislation requirements for provincial/territorial worker safety and insurance boards (WSIB), and include the latest Canadian Red Cross CPR guidelines and training in the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).
Course content includes:
- The Red Cross
- Responding to Emergencies
- Check, Call, Care
- Airway emergencies
- Breathing & Circulation emergencies (Including CPR skills and AED Usage)
- First Aid for Respiratory & Cardiac Arrest
If you’re interested in registering for our CPR / AED Level C course please feel free to check our available dates here! If you’re interested in recertifying an existing certification, we also offer that here!
Basic Life Support (BLS formerly CPR-HCP) Training
Basic Life Support (BLS) used to be called CPR for healthcare providers (HCP). BLS training generally refers to the type of care that first-responders, healthcare providers, and public safety professionals provide to anyone who is experiencing an emergency. This course can cover a variety of topics ranging from CPR with the use of an AED, airway management or oxygen (O2) therapy. The target audience of this course is In-facility care providers, including nursing staff, care aides, medical and dental professionals. Pre-hospital care providers, which may include professionals in a fire service, rescue team, sports-medicine, lifeguards, and ski patrol.
Course content includes:
- Rapid Assessment and Visual Survey
- CPR/AED for Adults, Children, and Infants
- Obstructed Airways
- Opioid Overdoses
- Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Communication, and Teamwork
- The Emergency Medical Services System
- Legal Considerations
- Precautions
If you’re interested in registering for our Basic Life Support (BLS, formerly CPR-HCP) training course please feel free to check our available dates here! If you’re interested in renewal for an existing certification, we also offer that here!
What Level of CPR Training Do I need?
Many participants are required to take a First Aid or a CPR course for their job, whether it is a new job they are applying to or a job they already have. It is important to choose the right level of training, and to make sure that the training you sign up for matches up for what your workplace wants from you. If ever uncertain, check with your employer, this guide is not meant to accurately determine what course you should take, but just to be used as a tool to help guide you towards the proper course. If you do require any guidance feel free to reach out to us and one of our experienced instructors would be more than happy to help where we can, but to have the most accurate answers please verify with your place of employment / program!
What Level of Training is good for at home emergencies?
Besides professional requirements, personal factors like family health considerations or a desire to be prepared for any emergency can influence the choice of training level. If you have loved ones at home who are vulnerable to a certain type or kind of emergency, we always recommend receiving training to be prepared. For individuals or families who live further away from urban centres, or who lack access to reliable EMS services, it’s a smart precaution to take some training to be prepared for potential emergencies! With our blended training options, all levels of courses are easily accessible so feel free to check out the contents available above. Basic CPR training offers an introduction to the life-saving skills / techniques covered in our courses! For those interested in a more in-depth training course, our Standard First Aid & CPR / AED Level C course is also available.
Recertifying / Renewing Your First Aid & CPR Certifications
All certifications / levels of training have set times until they expire, so it’s important to stay on top of your training dates/expiration dates. After a period of time, the information and skills learned in class do not stay as fresh in our heads as we would like. Fortunately, there are easy ways to recertify and extend your training that take less time (and cost less!) than the original training. If you’re unsure of your expiry dates feel free to check out our guide on recertifying that covers everything you might need to know / how to recertify!
We highly recommend not only reaching out to us to complete your First Aid & CPR training but also recommend keeping your certificate up to date. After a period of time, the information and skills learned in class do not stay as fresh in our heads as we would like. To keep all your information fresh, we highly recommend accessing the resources the Red Cross provides online for free. Taking refresher courses is also a good way to stay up to date with any First Aid advancements made in the field. Courses can vary year by year, as the Red Cross is constantly adding new things and trying to find new ways to make training more accessible and clear for participants.
Conclusion
First aid skills are an invaluable asset for anyone to learn, knowing how to save a life is one of the most important kinds of knowledge that we could have. At First Aid Connect, our team of accredited instructors always try to offer meaningful and impactful training in ways that can actually apply to real emergencies. We’re available anytime via our contact page to help guide anyone on this journey to becoming a certified life saver!