Canadian Red Cross FAQ

The Canadian Red Cross is a humanitarian organization that helps people and communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters. In Canada, the Red Cross provides a wide range of programs and services, including first aid and CPR training, emergency preparedness, disaster response, violence prevention and safety programs, and support for people affected by emergencies. The Canadian Red Cross is also part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, one of the world's largest humanitarian networks.

Canadian Red Cross first aid courses are designed around current first aid and CPR guidelines and combine knowledge with hands-on practical skills. The Canadian Red Cross offers first aid training for workplaces, employers, workers, families, caregivers, outdoor professionals, community members, and professional responders. Depending on the course, training may include CPR, AED use, airway emergencies, cardiac and breathing emergencies, wound care, musculoskeletal injuries, sudden medical emergencies, environmental emergencies, and other first aid skills.

We provide Canadian Red Cross first aid training options for a variety of needs, including: Emergency First Aid & CPR Standard First Aid & CPR Wilderness First Aid Remote First Aid CPR and AED training Additional Canadian Red Cross training programs may be available depending on your workplace or individual requirements. The best course depends on whether you need basic emergency response skills, comprehensive first aid training, workplace certification, or specialized training for remote and wilderness environments.

Canadian Red Cross Emergency First Aid & CPR is a one-day course designed to provide essential first aid and CPR skills for responding to emergencies at home, work, or in the community. The course covers the immediate actions required when someone is injured or experiencing a medical emergency. Emergency First Aid & CPR includes topics such as: The Red Cross approach to first aid Preparing to respond The EMS system Check, Call, Care Airway emergencies Breathing and circulation emergencies CPR AED use Choking First aid for respiratory and cardiac arrest Wound care Head and spine injuries Bone, muscle, and joint injuries Sudden medical emergencies Environmental emergencies Opioid poisoning awareness The Canadian Red Cross Emergency First Aid & CPR course has no prerequisites and provides a three-year certification in Basic First Aid and CPR Level A or C. Successful participants must attend and participate in the entire course, demonstrate the required skills, and achieve at least 75% on the written knowledge evaluation.

Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid & CPR is a comprehensive first aid course designed for people who require more extensive first aid training. The course is suitable for workers, employers, professionals, students, caregivers, and individuals who want a more comprehensive level of first aid and CPR training. Standard First Aid includes: Preparing to respond The EMS system Check, Call, Care Airway emergencies Breathing and circulation emergencies CPR and AED Respiratory and cardiac emergencies Choking Wound care Head, neck, and spine injuries Bone, muscle, and joint injuries Sudden medical emergencies Environmental emergencies Opioid poisoning awareness Additional content required by the applicable workplace authority The Canadian Red Cross Standard/Intermediate First Aid & CPR course provides a three-year certification in Intermediate First Aid, CPR Level A or C, and AED.

The main difference is the depth and duration of training. Emergency First Aid is a shorter, essential first aid course focused on immediate emergency response. It is generally suited to situations where basic first aid and CPR skills are required. Standard First Aid provides more comprehensive training and a broader range of first aid skills. It is a two-day course and is often selected by workplaces, employers, schools, organizations, and individuals who require a more extensive first aid certification. Both courses include CPR and AED training, but Standard First Aid provides additional training time and a more comprehensive first aid curriculum.

The right course depends on why you need your certification. Choose Emergency First Aid when you need essential first aid and CPR skills and your workplace, organization, or other requirement calls for a basic level of first aid training. Choose Standard First Aid when you need a more comprehensive first aid certification or when your employer, school, organization, or other authority requires Standard/Intermediate First Aid. If you are unsure which course you need, contact us before registering. We can help you identify the appropriate Canadian Red Cross course based on your requirements.

Yes. The Canadian Red Cross course descriptions state that Basic/Emergency First Aid & CPR meets the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Z1210 standard for Basic First Aid, while Intermediate/Standard First Aid & CPR meets CSA Z1210 for Intermediate First Aid. Workplace requirements can vary by province, workplace, and applicable authority, so employers should confirm the specific level of training required for their workplace.

Many Canadian Red Cross first aid certifications are valid for three years. The exact certification period can depend on the specific program. For example, Emergency First Aid provides a three-year Basic First Aid and CPR certification, while Standard/Intermediate First Aid provides a three-year Intermediate First Aid, CPR, and AED certification.

CPR C is a CPR certification level that includes CPR skills for adults, children, and infants. Canadian Red Cross Emergency First Aid and Standard First Aid courses can be completed with CPR C, depending on the course selected. CPR C is a popular option for workplaces, employers, caregivers, parents, students, and individuals who want comprehensive CPR training.

An AED, or automated external defibrillator, is a device used to assess and treat certain cardiac rhythms during sudden cardiac arrest. AED training is included in Canadian Red Cross first aid programs where specified by the course. Standard/Intermediate First Aid certification includes AED, and Emergency First Aid courses may include AED training depending on the course format and certification selected.

Yes. Canadian Red Cross certification courses include practical skills demonstrations and hands-on learning. Participants are required to demonstrate the skills and critical steps required by their course in order to successfully complete their certification.

Some Canadian Red Cross first aid courses are available in blended formats that combine online learning with in-person practical training. The in-person component remains important because participants must demonstrate required first aid and CPR skills to successfully complete certification.

No. Canadian Red Cross Emergency First Aid and Standard/Intermediate First Aid courses do not have prerequisites. Participants are taught the required skills during the course and must successfully complete the required knowledge and practical evaluations.

Participants must successfully demonstrate the required skills and meet the course completion requirements. Written knowledge evaluations generally require a minimum score of 75%. If a participant does not meet the required criteria, they may not receive certification until the applicable requirements have been successfully completed.

Yes. Private Canadian Red Cross first aid training can be an excellent option for businesses and organizations that need to train multiple employees. Private workplace training allows your team to complete training together and can be arranged around your organization's scheduling and training needs, subject to course and instructor availability.

Yes. On-site workplace first aid training can be arranged for eligible private groups. Organizations should have an appropriate training area with enough space for instructors and participants to safely complete hands-on first aid and CPR skills.

WT Safety & Security Services of BC provides Canadian Red Cross first aid and CPR training for individuals, businesses, organizations, and workplace groups. Our goal is to provide practical, engaging training that gives participants more than just a certificate. We focus on helping people understand what to do when an actual emergency occurs. Whether you need Emergency First Aid, Standard First Aid, CPR C, Wilderness First Aid, or private workplace training, we can help you find the course that fits your needs.

The best course depends on your workplace, occupation, environment, certification requirements, and personal goals. If you need basic emergency response training, Emergency First Aid & CPR may be appropriate. If you need more comprehensive first aid training, Standard First Aid & CPR may be the better choice. If you work or lead groups in remote or wilderness environments, Remote First Aid or Wilderness First Aid may be more appropriate. If you are unsure, contact WT Safety & Security Services of BC before registering and we can help you determine which Canadian Red Cross course best fits your situation.