What Course Should I Take?

STANDARD FIRST AID CPR/AED
(LEVEL A, C OR BLS)
EMERGENCY FIRST AID CPR/AED
(LEVEL C OR BLS)
CPR/AED
(level C or BLS)

DISCLAIMER: The only way to know the correct first aid & CPR course right for you is to contact the organization that is requiring the certification and ask them what course you need. If you require certification for your profession or school program you will usually have documentation providing the specific course title you require. For workplace regulation requirements, contact your provincial government body that oversees workplace health and safety (ie. WSIB in Ontario) and have them assist you. IF you are not sure which workplace course you need, as a general rule, you should do the 2 Day – Standard First Aid CPR/AED course. You can’t go wrong with doing more training.

Standard First Aid CPR/AED (level A, C or BLS)

Standard First Aid CPR/AED (level A, C or BLS) is the most common first aid & CPR training program that complies with most provincial first aid workplace regulations. Standard First Aid CPR/AED (C or BLS) is a 2-DAY course and deals with both life-threatening and non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses. We combine Standard First Aid with CPR with either a level C (which covers adult, child and baby skills) or BLS (specifically for Health Care Providers). Level A (adult only) is also available upon request.

For workplaces, some provincial bodies (such as WSIB in Ontario) will recommend workplaces and individuals to take Standard First Aid CPR/AED based on whether your workplace has more than 5 employees working at any given time, per floor, per shift. Employers must also take into account to train and certify at least several employees in this course to make sure that there are no shortages of certified first aiders.

Here is a list of occupations that commonly require the Standard First Aid CPR/AED course. Please note that students taking school programs in these fields would also apply. Remember never assume you are taking the right course unless you verify it as mentioned above.

Daycare Workers, Police, Provincial Police, RCMP, Firefighting, Canadian Border Control, Ski-Patrol, Personal Support Worker, Special Needs & Disability Support Workers, Lifeguards, Construction, Nursing Students (some schools), Child Youth Worker, Early Childhood Education, Babysitters/Nanny’s, Pharmacists, Coaches/Instructors, Healthcare Workers, Registered Massage Therapists, Fitness and Nutrition, Community and Justice Services, Developmental Services Worker, Emergency Telecommunications, Protection, Security and Investigation, Aesthetician School Programs, Alberta Oil Field Workers, Tradesmen, Fieldworkers, Industrial Workers, Heavy Machinery Workers, Search and Rescue, Volunteer Relief Staff, Operation and Maintenance Factory Workers, Food and Beverage Processing Plants.

Emergency First Aid CPR/AED (level C or BLS)

Emergency First Aid CPR/AED (level C or BLS) is also a certification course accepted in most provinces and meets most workplace requirements. For workplaces, some provincial bodies (such as WSIB in Ontario) will recommend workplaces and individuals to take Emergency First Aid CPR/AED based on whether your workplace has more than 5 employees working at any given time, per floor, per shift. Employers must also take into account to train and certify at least several employees in this course to make sure that there are no shortages of certified first aiders. Other provinces will base this certification requirement on the workplaces risk level such as in Alberta.

Here is a list of occupations that commonly require the Emergency First Aid CPR/AED course. Please note that students taking school programs in these fields would also apply. Remember never assume you are taking the right course unless you verify it as mentioned above.

Recreational Facility Staff, Community Centre Staff, Security Guards, Taxi Drivers, Government Workers (especially those who drive government vehicles), Summer Camp Councilors, Child and Youth Workers, Parks and Recreation Staff, Coaches/Instructors, Personal Support Workers (those who are working/not students), Designated First Aiders (for workplaces under 5 people and low risk), Culinary Students, Scouts/Girl Guides / Social Groups, Corrections Canada, Personal Trainers, Medical/Lab Technicians.

CPR/AED (level C or BLS)

This course does not satisfy any provincial workplace regulation however it is usually required as an accreditation for a professional license or school program requirement. Examples of who would commonly take CPR/AED (level C or BLS) would include:

Nurses, dental hygienists, personal/fitness trainers, grade 9 physical education, geriatric care providers, paramedics, doctors, hospital staff, medical clinics that sedate patients.

Learn more in detail about CPR/AED (Level C or BLS) courses by clicking the button below.

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