Defibrillators or Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are devices that deliver a life-saving shock to someone suffering from cardiac arrest. The electric shock from the defibrillator passes through the chest wall to the heart, often giving a person in cardiac arrest a chance to survive.
Continue readingWhy is First Aid and CPR Recertification Important?
Healthcare professionals learn CPR, First Aid, and Basic Life Support training to help save people in health and other emergencies. However, CPR and First Aid training courses are also compulsory in different places of employment. Many citizens also learn these skills in their private capacity to offer their assistance whenever and wherever required.
Once you have completed your training in any of these lifesaving disciplines, you receive a certificate that proves your skills. Depending on the training, the certificate’s validity has an expiration date, and it is essential to keep the certificate up-to-date by taking the recertification training.
All these first response disciplines, whether to assist someone with a cut, bruise, cardiac arrest, anaphylaxis, choking, drowning, etc., are based on having the skills required to apply the techniques to help the person until professional help arrives.
We are an aging society, and the generation of Baby Boomers is now increasingly reaching the age where they may require medical assistance. The risk of exposure to viruses, infections, and environmental illnesses has also increased in recent years. First Aid and CPR are essential for helping an unconscious person or someone with an injury.
Using the proper techniques can save a life and improve the person’s chances of recovery. CPR and First Aid training is inexpensive and requires just a few hours, ensuring that you have the skills to help in any situation.
However, once you complete the training, you must consider that retraining and recertification are essential to keeping your skills refreshed. Workplaces and school programs often require employees and students to maintain valid certificates. Regular certificate updates benefit you because you retain the confidence to practice your lifesaving skills while also learning any new developments and techniques to save lives.
Workplace Requirements and First Aid
According to WSIB Ontario, First Aid training requirements differ in the workplace. These requirements include the number of people and type of First Aid training required and depend on several conditions. These include the number of shifts, people per shift, and the kind of business activity.
If a company does not use dangerous equipment or chemicals, the required number of employees usually take only Emergency First Aid training. Other companies must provide Standard First Aid training to the prescribed number of employees per shift if they work under more dangerous conditions.
Generally, if less than five employees work per shift, one employee per shift requires valid Emergency First Aid & CPR/AED Level C training and certification. For companies with more than five employees per shift, at least one employee must have a valid Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C certificate.
At some workplaces, the requirements are annual recertification, even if the certificate is valid for three years.

Stay Certified, Stay Prepared!
Renew your skills with our recertification courses at Coast2Coast! Keep your knowledge up to date and ensure you’re ready to respond in emergencies. Our expert instructors will guide you through the latest techniques and best practices.
Certificate Validity
Don’t forget the validity period of your First Aid, CPR, or Basic Life Support certification, especially if the certificate is a requirement under Ontario’s Regulation 1101 for your workplace.
CPR Training
CPR or cardiopulmonary training does not include any first aid training. The various levels of CPR training teach candidates how to recognize and respond to breathing emergencies like cardiac arrest, choking, drowning, etc. One of the major learnings would be the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). CPR certificates are valid for three years, but can be recertified multiple times regardless. You need to retake the training and receive a new certificate before the old one expires.
First Aid Certificate Validity
Our Canadian Red Cross Emergency and Standard First Aid & CPR/AED certificates issued by Coast2Coast are valid for three years.
Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Recertification – Standard First Aid & CPR/AED recertification training must be completed before the certificate expires; otherwise, it is invalid. Once you complete the one-day renewal course, your certificate indicates the recertification. After the expiry of the Standard First Aid & CPR/AED recertification, you must complete the full training course again. Training must be alternated between a full course and the Recertification course.
Emergency First Aid & CPR/AED – According to WSIB in Ontario, Emergency First Aid & CPR/AED Level C courses can not be recertified. Before the expiry of this certificate, you need to register for the full training course. The online blended format is an ideal training, allowing you to complete half the training online followed by a 5-hour in-class section.

Basic Life Support Training
Basic Life Support is the intensive training required by people working in healthcare and rescue services. BLS certificates are only valid for one year. Full training is required each time because of the ever-changing duties of these professionals who usually work in fast-paced and demanding environments.

Coast2Coast First Aid & CPR Recertification Courses
Remember, if your Standard First Aid Certificate is about to expire, you need to complete the recertification training before to ensure its validity. All other certificates require you to do the training again. Whatever your CPR and First Aid certification needs, Coast2Coast offers various recertification courses throughout the day to best fit your schedule. Register for one of our Recertification courses from one of our 18 locations all over Ontario.
Register for First Aid Training
Register today for a First Aid training course and learn how to deal with emergencies and keep your loved ones safe! Check out our facilities and book your spot now.
Do I Need First Aid and CPR Training?
Anyone faced with an emergency situation can benefit from First Aid and CPR training because they may be able to save someone’s life. According to statistics, CPR can better the chances of survival from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest if administered immediately as most cases of cardiac arrest happen in the home.
If you’re wondering, “do I need first aid and CPR training?”, we will discuss the benefits, requirements and how to complete a training course.
Benefits of First Aid Training
First Aid training has several benefits because you acquire the knowledge and skills to provide the appropriate care in most emergency situations calmly and confidently.
The skills learned during First Aid training include detecting a stroke, heart attack, anaphylaxis, dealing with injuries, cardiac arrest and more. It also teaches you how to correctly perform CPR when needed. During the training, you will practice treating wounds, burns, choking, drowning, and suffocation in victims.
The skills learned are essential for parents, caregivers, and job seekers in almost all fields. Research also shows that children as young as nine years old can learn the correct administration of CPR. It may be beneficial for you to enroll your children in a Babysitting or Stay Safe training course!
There are two levels of First Aid: Emergency and Standard. We recommend that students complete Standard First Aid because it provides more information and skills compared to Emergency First Aid.

Who Needs First Aid Training?
Most commonly, medical professionals are the ones who require First Aid & CPR training. This group includes doctors, nurses, medical assistants, paramedics, and other rescue workers like lifeguards and ski patrols.
In addition to medical professionals, all childcare providers, law enforcement, firefighters, sports coaches, construction workers, correctional services staff, flight attendants, security guards, electricians and more require first aid & CPR training.
All businesses must also ensure that the required number of workers have First Aid Certification, whether they are shop assistants, factory workers, secretaries, servers, managers, and volunteers. According to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, businesses covered by their fund must have trained personnel and first aid equipment on their premises.
The training must come from a WSIB-approved First Aid provider, and the appropriate number of staff must complete the First Aid course and receive certification according to the guidelines.
Register for First Aid Training
Register today for a First Aid training course and learn how to deal with emergencies and keep your loved ones safe! Check out our facilities and book your spot now.
Required First Aid Training in the Workplace
Mandatory WSIB First Aid training depends on the number of people working per shift at any given time in the workplace.
In workplaces with five or fewer people working per shift, one or more people with an Emergency First Aid & CPR certificate must be present. In workplaces with more than six people working per shift, at least one person must have a Standard First Aid & CPR certificate.
Since all these employees mentioned above work with many people and often work under hazardous conditions, First Aid & CPR training allows them to recognize and assist in health or work-related emergencies.

Is First Aid and CPR Training Mandatory?
First Aid training is not always mandatory. Typically, school programs and workplaces are implementing these certifications, but not every school or business requires this training. Although, there are several reasons why you should get certified regardless of your profession.
Recognizing emergencies and saving lives requires knowledge, skills, and confidence. First Aid training provides these, allowing you to face any situation from choking, accidents caused by the use of dangerous equipment, and even recognizing the signs of cardiac arrest or anaphylaxis. You learn in which order CPR and other techniques are applied, often making the difference between temporary or long-term side effects.
Besides saving a life, First Aid training teaches you to ease the pain and discomfort caused by falls and fever, even if the patient does not need to go to the hospital.
Some situations where basic first aid care is not applied immediately may lead to the victim’s condition deteriorating rapidly. This weakens their chance of survival until emergency medical care (EMS) arrives. Your First Aid training can save valuable time by helping the victim, explaining the situation to emergency services, and their current condition.
Perhaps First Aid training is not mandatory, but it helps you become a valuable link in the chain of another person’s survival in an emergency.

How to Complete First Aid Training
Whether you must get First Aid training for your work or just want to help others, completing First Aid training is far easier than most people think. The time required depends on the training necessary, but it won’t take more than two days for advanced training and one day for basic training.
Coast2Coast has several First Aid Course options to ensure that everyone has the correct training for their needs. Training may be done in the online blended method, allowing you to do the theoretical work in your own time at home before attending an in-person session. As a Canadian Red Cross training partner, Coast2Coast has experienced trainers and provides WSIB-approved certification.
If you thought you were too busy or didn’t know where to go for a First Aid course, Coast2Coast offers you training solutions at a time and place that suit you. You may complete your First Aid & CPR training course at one of our 18 locations across Ontario. If you have any questions about a training course, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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The Difference Between Security Guards and Private Investigators
The professions of a security guard and private investigator might sound similar, but there are some differences between the two occupations. Anyone wanting to work either one of the two in Canada requires a valid license. It’s important to learn the difference between these before deciding which training suits the career path you want to follow. Let’s discuss the difference between security guards and private investigators.
The Role of Security Guards
The primary responsibilities of security guards entail area observations for security breaches, managing any issues, reporting dangerous situations or suspicious behaviour and more. Security guards perform these duties to protect private property and the public. Security guards work in airports, condos, stores and shopping malls. Some also work as bodyguards.
Proper training is required to ensure security guards can recognize and handle situations until the appropriate authorities arrive to take over. Unlike private investigators who often work undercover, security guards work in the open, visibly showing their presence.

The Role of Private Investigators
Private investigators are typically employed by citizens, companies and attorneys to investigate the whereabouts or actions of people, issues regarding workplace health and safety, environmental incidents and more. There are various reasons why someone would want to hire a private investigator, including investigating fraud, theft, infidelity, disputes over child custody, and finding missing assets or a person.
To investigate, private investigators need to learn several investigative techniques and conduct research. These include internet searches, public databases, background checks, etc. Private investigators also use audio and video surveillance, take photographs and conduct personal observations.
The work that private investigators do still requires them to work within the law. As a private investigator, you must have a good understanding of the laws, be ethical and have great communication and listening skills.

Register for Security Licensing Course!
Take the first vital step towards an impactful career in security by registering now to obtain your Ontario security license, enabling you to play a pivotal role in maintaining safety and protection within your community.
Can You Be a Security Guard and Private Investigator?
Yes, you can become a security guard and private investigator by taking both courses and passing.
Dual License
Once you have passed the courses to become a security guard and a private investigator, you can apply for a dual license. With a dual license, you can work as a security guard or private investigator. Dual licenses help broaden your career possibilities and provide you with additional knowledge.
How to Become a Security Guard
Before applying for a license to become a security guard, you must complete a training course approved by a Ministry training partner. This online training course takes approximately 33.5 hours to complete, and you can do it in your own time. If you need help with any course sections, an instructor is available by email or phone.
On completing the course, you receive a Training Compliance Number (TCN) to book your Ministry test. The test consists of 60 multiple choice questions that must be answered within 75 minutes. Once you have passed the exam with a minimum of 62%, you can apply for your license at Service Ontario.

The license is valid for two years. Requirements for applying for a security guard license include that you must be 18 years and older, have a clean criminal record, be legally entitled to work in the country, and have mandatory First Aid training.
How to Become a Private Investigator
The mandatory course to become a Private Investigator in Ontario is about 50 hours. This online course covers a wide range of topics from criminal civil law to key principles of communication and interaction.
Online training allows you to complete the course at your own pace, but you also have access to the instructors if you need help. Once you pass the test, you receive your Training Compliance Number (TCN). With this number, you can schedule the exam at the Ministry, and on passing it, you can apply for an Ontario Private Investigator license. Private investigator licensing is valid for two years and is renewable two birthdays after issue.
Is Private Investigator Training Difficult?
Private investigator training is not too difficult, but in Canada, you need to get a license for the province you want to work. However, you must meet several requirements. These are:
- The minimum age is 18 years or older
- Eligible to work in Canada
- No criminal record
- Pass the government licensing course

Where to Complete Security Guard or Private Investigator Training?
Whether you want to become a security guard, private investigator, or combine the two and hold a dual license, Coast2Coast offers Ministry-approved training required to match your career needs. Our online training is available for both courses, ensuring your convenience whatever career path you choose to follow.
Do you want to be a Private Investigator?
Coast2Coast First Aid & Aquatics has recently partnered with a great security training company that offers various courses including Private Investigator training.
Best First Aid and CPR Training in Kitchener
Facing an emergency without First Aid training is daunting and leaves people feeling helpless. Many people in Kitchener put off First Aid training for various reasons, mainly that they don’t have time or don’t know where to take a course. Others believe that they don’t need training but don’t realize that some techniques, especially CPR, require specific training.
The level of First Aid training someone needs will depend on their personal circumstances and career. Someone looking after children or a sick relative may need a higher level of training than someone who wants to prepare for general emergencies.
People who work in educational facilities, community settings, sports training centers, and healthcare professionals typically require advanced levels of training. Standard First Aid prepares participants for common medical emergencies needed for these careers, including environmental crises.
First Aid is not mandatory in Canada, but everyone is encouraged to help others in everyday emergencies. Helping each other is a moral obligation, and knowledge gives you confidence. Ready to find the best first aid and CPR training in Kitchener? Look no further!
New Training Facility in Kitchener
Coast2Coast has opened up a new training facility in Kitchener, making First Aid and CPR training more accessible than ever before. Several levels of First Aid and CPR training courses are available, including Emergency First Aid, Standard First Aid and Basic Life Support (BLS-HCP). Coast2Coast recommends everyone complete first aid and CPR training even if you do not require it for work or school programs.
Teaching times for First Aid and CPR training in Kitchener depend on the course level you choose. Our Online Blended training format is the most popular for Emergency First Aid and Standard First Aid because it saves time, allowing participants to complete the 4-8 hours of online learning (in their own time). The practical segment of the course has 5.5-8 hours of in-class training.

In-class training is an integral part of a first aid course because you learn the correct techniques firsthand from our experienced, Canadian Red Cross instructors. During this portion of your course, students will practice these techniques. Instructors are there to help you if you are struggling with any section of the course.
The in-class portion of our First Aid and CPR training in Kitchener starts at 9 AM. Once you complete the course and pass the multiple-choice exam, you will receive a WSIB-approved Canadian Red Cross certificate. All First Aid certification is valid for three years, after which you can recertify.
The in-class sections of First Aid & CPR require 100% attendance and a score of 75% or higher on the multiple-choice test.
Importance of First Aid & CPR
Since no one ever knows when an emergency will occur, First Aid training provides the confidence required to help save a life. Emergencies don’t always happen where first responders are available, so you might need to assist a loved one at home, a stranger on the road, or a colleague at work.
First aid training is not only for dealing with accidents. Depending on your course level, training may help you recognize illnesses, poisoning, cardiac arrest, and anaphylaxis. You also learn to call for emergency services, offering the correct assistance and comfort until professionals arrive.

Get Trained in Kitchener!
Join our First Aid Training in Kitchener and equip yourself with vital life-saving skills. Our expert instructors provide hands-on training to prepare you for emergencies in any situation.
Being prepared to assist in any situation is the first thing you learn, but First Aid training prepares you to share your skills and become more aware of personal safety and health.
Some of the things you can expect to learn during Emergency First Aid & CPR training in Kitchener:
- The Red Cross
- First Aider’s Role Chain of Survival Behaviors
- Lowering Risk of Infection
- Check, Call, Care
- Placing Someone in the Recovery Position
- Shock
- Choking in Adults (Level C Includes Choking for Children and Infants)
- Assisting with Medication
- Angina and Heart Attack Stroke CPR/AED in Adults (Level C Training Includes Children and Infants)
- Compression-Only CPR
- Treating Life-threatening External Bleeding and Internal Bleeding
- General Wound Care
In Standard First Aid, the training includes environmental emergencies, head, neck, and spine injuries, poisons, and other medical emergencies.
How to Register for First Aid & CPR in Kitchener

Registering for First Aid and CPR training in Kitchener is easier than you ever thought. Check out our training locations under the “Find a Training” section on our website’s menu. From there, you can select the location of your choice. Each location has a page where you may select the course type you are interested in. Choose the First Aid & CPR option to see our upcoming course dates. Click on Register Now to book, fill in the Registration Form, and Submit.
Register for First Aid Training
Register today for a First Aid Training course and learn how to deal with emergencies and keep your loved ones safe! Check out our facilities and book your spot now.
Why Do Healthcare Professionals Need BLS Certification?
Basic Life Support Certification is proof of completing the foundational BLS training. Participants of the BLS course learn the theoretical and hands-on skills required to ensure the best possible patient outcomes in breathing emergencies and cardiac arrest, particularly in fast-paced environments like hospitals and during emergencies. Healthcare professionals, first responders, rescuers, sports doctors, and dentists need BLS certification.
There are several ways Basic Life Support training can impact your career. Besides providing you with the latest life-saving protocols for breathing emergencies, advanced CPR training increases your confidence levels.
For those that are confused, there is a slight difference between BLS and HCP. Basic Life Support training was previously known as CPR-HCP. Certifications expired every three years. In April 2019, the Canadian government required healthcare professionals to update their training on an annual basis. Due to this change, the course is now called Basic Life Support and it provides students more information and skills required for their profession.
Continue reading to find out why healthcare professionals need BLS certification!
What is BLS?
Basic Life Support training provides healthcare professionals and first responders with the skills required to help unresponsive people during breathing emergencies, trauma, etc. The course includes CPR/AED training for all age groups and various other skills.
One of the most common conditions where BLS is required is cardiac arrest. Other cases where the patient is deprived of their vital oxygen supply include choking or drowning. Within a few minutes, a patient can suffer permanent brain damage from a lack of oxygen. In the absence of advanced equipment, BLS training allows healthcare professionals to maximize the chance of a possible outcome for the patient by administering resuscitation and chest compressions as a team.

During the training, participants learn the correct order of CPR and the cycles of CPR.
Expect to learn the following skills in BLS:
- Advanced CPR algorithms (adults, children, and babies)
- Use of an automated external defibrillator (AED)
- Removing airway obstructions in children and adults
- Single and multi rescuer resuscitation
- Use of ventilation devices
- Anaphylaxis
- Trauma
- Opioid emergencies
- Six rights of medication and more!
BLS requires the correct sequence of chest compressions, airway, and breathing, in adults, children, and infants. These components contribute to blood flow and oxygen in life-threatening situations. During training, you learn about the chest compression rate, chest compression depth, chest recoil, and ventilation. You also learn how to perform this in the proper cycles.
Register for First Aid Training
The importance of BLS
Promptly administering advanced CPR can save a person’s life from cardiac or respiratory arrest. Recertifying annually keeps healthcare professionals updated with any new developments.
BLS training teaches students the proper way to administer the life-saving skills required by healthcare professionals and other related industries. These skills are vital for people who offer direct patient care. At Coast2Coast, we offer private/group training for healthcare industry teams; reach out to our customer service reps to find the best option for your needs.

BLS Certification Validity
Basic Life Support certificates remain valid for one year after they are issued. In order to take our Renewal course, you must hold a BLS certificate. Annual retraining ensures that participants retain their confidence and skills. Besides the regular retraining, make sure to get your BLS certificate from an accredited provider such as Coast2Coast First Aid!
Coast2Coast BLS Programs
Coast2Coast has multiple programs to choose from, depending on your work requirements. These are Basic Life Support (HCP), Airway Management & Oxygen Therapy, and Accredited Heart and Stroke Basic Life Support. All the courses teach various life-saving skills, including recognizing cardiac arrest. Participants learn how to respond promptly and confidently, applying the elements of Basic Life Support.
BLS is a 4-hour training course available in morning, afternoon, and evening classes to ensure everyone finds a time slot that suits them. The Basic Life Support and Renewal courses have the same duration, but the Renewal option is offered at a lower rate. If you register for the Renewal, you must bring a copy of your current certificate to class to receive your discount.

Airway Management & Oxygen Therapy is a two-hour intensive training course that provides the skills to offer supplemental oxygen and create an airway when needed. Students learn how to create oropharyngeal, nasopharyngeal, and supraglottic airways in patients. This training also covers the safe handling and assembling of equipment such as oxygen tanks. Oftentimes, this training is taken together with Basic Life Support training by healthcare professionals, first responders, and rescue workers.
Coast2Coast provides Canadian Red Cross Basic Life Support courses in the Greater Toronto Area, Western Ontario, and Eastern Ontario. Learn more about the locations, dates, and times of the various BLS courses HERE.
We hope you’ve learned why healthcare professionals need BLS certification!
Master the Essentials of Life Support!
Join our Basic Life Support (BLS) course and learn critical skills to save lives in emergencies. Our expert instructors will guide you through hands-on training and the latest techniques to help you respond effectively.
How to Prevent Environmental Illnesses
Exposure to the cold and extreme heat are the most common elements that cause environmental illnesses. In addition to these, there are also environmental poisons. The symptoms of environmental illnesses vary, depending on the chemical, pollution, allergen, toxin, virus, or climatic condition the victim is exposed to. Preventing environmental illnesses is not easy, but the faster people are removed from the danger and treated, the better.
Environmental hazards typically occur outdoors when people are exposed to extreme climatic conditions or poisons. Now, let’s learn how to prevent environmental illnesses!
What are environmental illnesses?
Hypothermia, heatstroke, frostbite, heat exhaustion, and poisoning are some of the most commonly seen environmental illnesses seen by first responders.
Cold-Related Illnesses
Hypothermia – When the body is exposed to frigid temperatures, it can’t produce heat as fast as it is lost. The result is that the body uses up all its stored energy, reaching an abnormally low body temperature. This is known as hypothermia. Hypothermia is very dangerous because the person’s ability to think clearly and move is dangerously reduced.
Preventing hypothermia requires that people heed the early warning signs and take the appropriate action. Know the early warning signs of hypothermia which include shivering, fatigue, loss of coordination, and disorientation or confusion. They should call for assistance if they cannot find a warmer place or shelter.
First Aid measures include moving the person to a warm space, removing wet clothing, and warming their body from the center outward. In the absence of an electric blanket, the best way to heat a person is with skin-to-skin contact under layers of dry clothing. You must only give the person a high calorie food or drink if they are conscious, alert and shivering, avoiding alcoholic beverages. If the person has no pulse, give CPR immediately.

Frostbite – Some body areas are more susceptible to freezing temperatures than others. These include the ears, nose, chin, cheeks, fingers, and toes. Frostbite is caused when these body parts freeze because of extremely low temperatures. The body tissue in that part of the body could become permanently damaged, often leading to amputation. Frostbite is prominent in people with poor blood circulation, but also among people working in the cold who haven’t dressed appropriately.
Wearing protective coverings on all extremities when spending time in freezing outdoor temperatures is critical. The symptoms of frostbite include numbness, tingling, and hardened skin. The skin may also turn pale or blue with a waxy appearance.
First Aid measures include going to a warmer area, immersing the affected area in warm water (never hot water) or body heat. Keep the skin protected with loose dressings, elevate thawed extremities, stay hydrated and get medical attention.
Heat-Related Illnesses
Heat Exhaustion – Excessive sweating during heat exposure causes the body to lose fluids. Because of this, the body’s blood flows to the skin to eliminate heat. This causes a lack of blood flow to vital organs.The warning signs include sweating, dizziness, weakness, headaches, vomiting and more.
The best way to prevent heat exhaustion is to ensure your body remains cool. Stay hydrated and avoid exertive work during the hottest times of the day.
First Aid measures include placing the person into a cool area and giving them lots of liquids, especially water, clear liquids, or a sports drink to replenish the body’s lost minerals. Loosen clothing as much as possible and pour cool water on their torso. You can also cool them down by applying a cool cloth or ice to the neck, head, and face.

Heatstroke – Heatstroke is a severe environmental illness. The signs of heatstroke are an extremely high body temperature of 104F (40°C) and higher and loss of consciousness (partial or complete). Not all heatstroke victims sweat, so it is not a good indication. Other signs include severe headache, altered behaviour, rapid breathing, seizures, and dry/hot skin.
Precautions to prevent heatstroke include protecting against sunburn, wearing loose clothing, drinking plenty of fluids on hot days, and staying indoors during the hottest part of the day.
Treat heatstroke by removing the person from the heat. Loosen tight clothing and immerse them in cool water. Ensure their forearms and hands are in cool water. You may also place ice packs in the person’s armpits and chest. Fan them as a way to increase evaporation. If they are conscious, let them sip on a cool sports drink, coconut water, milk or water.
First Aid and Environmental Illness

First Aid training prepares you to treat victims of these and other environmental illnesses. At Coast2Coast, our Emergency and Standard First Aid courses are ideal, depending on the level of First Aid training you desire. This training is offered in a blended method to save you time and money. Pick your preferred location in the Greater Toronto Area, Western or Eastern Ontario, and register today.
Register for CPR or First Aid Training
How Can I Become a First Aid Instructor?
The Canadian Red Cross and its partners offer a comprehensive program for candidates wanting to become First Aid instructors. Their Instructor Development Program follows a clear pathway that enables you to advance through the course, ultimately reaching the level of instructor. Get ready to learn how to become a First Aid Instructor today!
Instructor Programs
Whether you want to be a CPR, First Aid, or instructor for professional responder programs, you are assured that your training will allow you to teach people around you to help others in their work or social environment.
First Aid is an important skill to have as it teaches members of our communities how to provide skills to help save a life. Your work as a First Aid Instructor is extremely beneficial to make our world a safer place.
5 Steps to First Aid Instruction Certification
Candidates wanting to become First Aid instructors must meet certain prerequisites and complete one step before advancing to the next one. Once you receive an instructor certification, it is only valid for three years. Before your certificate expires, you will need to complete an Instructor Recertification course.
Instructor Pathway
- Checking prerequisites and evaluating skills
- Learning the fundamentals of instruction
- Focusing on specific skills of the program
- Gaining teaching experience
- Issuing of instructor certification

Course Prerequisites: To become a first aid instructor, you must meet the following prerequisites:
- You must be 18 years old or more
- You must have a Standard First Aid Certificate with CPR/AED Level C certificate
- This is a 16-hour training which must be completed through an approved training partner. This course may be completed in one of the following formats: Traditional All In-Class or Online Blended.
- To earn your Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C certificate, you need to pass a multiple choice exam and successfully demonstrate the complete range of skills you have learned. This Canadian Red Cross Program prepares you with the following topics:
- The Red Cross
- Preparing to respond to emergencies
- Understanding the EMS system
- Check, Call, Care
- Dealing with airway, breathing, and circulation emergencies
- First aid care for respiratory and cardiac arrest
- Wound care
- Head and spine injuries
- Bone, muscle, and joint injuries
- Sudden medical emergencies
- Environmental emergencies
- Dealing with poisons
- And more!
- Complete a separate skills assessment
- Students must show they are able to complete the skills they’ve learned in their SFA training course to ensure they feel confident enough to teach.
Instructor course and teaching experience: the instructor course is divided into four sections including both online and in-class training:
- Fundamentals of Instruction Online – complete an 8-hour online training in your own time.
- Classroom Component – 14.5 hours of in-class training focused on the application of fundamentals in First Aid & CPR.
- First Aid & CPR Discipline-Specific Component – 14.5 hours of in-class training focused on the specific skills of the program.
- Teaching Experience – There are two modules to the teaching experience component. The first module is online, taking between 30-45 minutes to complete. The classroom component of the course includes instruction from a Teaching Experience Supervisor and co-teaching alongside a certified instructor.
Register for First Aid Training
Register today for a First Aid training course and learn how to deal with emergencies and keep your loved ones safe! Check out our facilities and book your spot now.

Certification: Once the course is completed, you receive electronic certification that is valid for 3 years. As a certified instructor, you can teach Emergency First Aid and Standard First Aid for both adults and child care. You can also teach CPR courses.
First Aid Instructor Transfer Courses
Instructors from several courses may also be eligible for a transfer course. These courses are shorter than a full instructor course (20 hours), but you must already be a certified first aid instructor with another recognized organization. These include The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, St. John Ambulance, The Lifesaving Society, Canadian Ski Patrol), or a Canadian Red Cross water safety instructor (WSI), or a school teacher with an education degree. You must also possess a current SFA-CPR certificate.

Additional Instructor Courses
In addition to First Aid and CPR instructor courses, you may also enroll in Professional Responder, Wilderness & Remote First Aid and Youth Leader courses. Each of these instructor courses will teach you a variety of different skills and prepare you for multiple levels of training.
Attend an Observation Session
Once you successfully complete your First Aid Instructor training, you can begin applying for instructor positions! When applying for a job with Coast2Coast, you will first need to attend an observation session. With our observation sessions, instructor candidates will attend our training courses with the lens and perspective of teaching it. They will see how our certified instructors teach a course at Coast2Coast and connect the skills they’ve learned in their Fundamentals of Instruction to the training. We recommend that our candidates take notes during their observation so they feel more prepared to teach a full course in the future.
Become a First Aid Instructor Today
Ready to teach First Aid and CPR skills? Send us an inquiry and we’ll inform you when our next First Aid Instructor course is running! If you choose to work with us, you will be required to attend an orientation after completing your Instructor course. During the orientation, instructor candidates are required to attend one of our first aid training courses and teach one skill to show they have retained the knowledge learned in their Instructor training course. Their teaching will be assessed by our instructor and discussed with the hiring manager prior to hiring. We can’t wait to help you become an amazing instructor!
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Is First Aid Training Mandatory?
People often put off First Aid training until they are faced with an emergency where they feel helpless. Others put it off until they must get the training for their school or work. Several reasons cause people to keep putting it off, saying that they don’t have the time, they don’t know where to go for their training, they don’t think they will ever face an emergency, or that they already have all the knowledge required.
Currently, First Aid Training is only mandatory for people in specific careers or school programs. These are typically people who work in healthcare, rescue services, schools, as sports trainers, etc. Also, depending on the workplace environment and the number of employees, the law requires a specific amount of people per shift who must be First Aid certified.
In workplaces with five or fewer workers per shift, at least one requires an Emergency First Aid First Aid certificate. In workplaces with six people or more on any shift, at least one worker requires a Standard First Aid certificate.
So is First Aid training mandatory? No, First Aid training is not mandatory for everyone, but it is mandatory for many professions.
Why First Aid is Important
There are several reasons why First Aid is important:
Undoubtedly, the most critical reason for First Aid training is to assist someone during an emergency or accident confidently, whether that is a relative, friend, colleague, or even a stranger.
Besides helping save a life, First Aid enables you to offer someone in pain emotional support and comfort as you assist or until emergency services arrive.
Emergencies happen on a daily basis which is why you need to be prepared. With your knowledge, you can assist an injured person as well as help prevent a situation from becoming worse.
First Aid training gives you the ability to help out in any situation, expanding your confidence to share your skills wherever they are needed. Finally, the training makes you more aware of how important it is to practice keeping yourself safe and healthy.

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Who Needs First Aid?
The two primary levels of First Aid training are aimed at people with various qualification needs. Whether you take Emergency First Aid Training or Standard First Aid Training will depend on your personal needs and career choice.
Emergency First Aid is suitable for most people who work in an office or business with low risks and for anyone wanting to help others during an emergency. It is also ideal for caregivers, parents or anyone who wants some basic knowledge in First Aid.
On the other hand, Standard First Aid Training is suitable for anyone planning a career in healthcare, education, etc. since the course content is more intense and includes training in environmental and medical emergencies.
Community Safety
We are all susceptible to injuries and illness as we run around daily performing several tasks. The faster we get help from someone trained in First Aid, the better, especially in critical situations. Every minute counts when it comes to saving a life!
First aid training increases the safety of a community, helps people feel more secure, can save lives, relieve pain, and prevent situations from getting worse.
Therefore, First Aid training provides communities with a safer environment to carry out their daily activities, knowing that there is someone at hand to help if needed.

Should First Aid Training Be Mandatory?
In Canada, people are encouraged to take First Aid training in specific jobs and mandatory workplace regulations. However, it is not compulsory for everyone.
Many people argue that First Aid training should become mandatory for everyone, quoting the example of some countries requiring it. For instance, in Germany, someone cannot get their driver’s license without completing a First Aid course.
First Aid prepares participants to act swiftly in an emergency. Some of the everyday occurrences where First Aid can help include providing CPR during a cardiac arrest incident, applying back blows and chest thrusts to a choking victim, stopping excessive bleeding until help arrives, etc.
Learning how to save another person’s life is a small investment toward being a responsible citizen. After all, we all have a moral obligation to help each other.

Where To Get Your First Aid Training
First Aid training in Canada is so accessible that no one can claim they don’t have the time or don’t know where to get it. Our online blended courses at Coast2Coast save you time and money, allowing you to learn the theory online at your own pace before attending a one-day in-class training.
At Coast2Coast, we offer Emergency First Aid, Standard First Aid, Marine Basic First Aid, and Child Care First Aid (for private clients only). Each of these courses includes CPR/AED training. As a participant, you have a choice of either all in-class training or online blended training, making it easier to decide which format suits you best.
Our First Aid training is available at several locations in the Greater Toronto area, Western and Eastern Ontario, making it easier to find a location near you. We also provide First Aid workshops for eight or more participants.
Register for your Coast2Coast Canadian Red Cross and WSIB approved First Aid Training today.
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First Aid Training Vs. CPR
First aid and CPR are both procedures administered in emergencies to help save lives. The difference between first aid and CPR is that first aid covers a broad spectrum of life-saving skills, including CPR. On the other hand, CPR training primarily focuses on how to perform CPR, use an AED and more to resuscitate unconscious victims that have no pulse.
What Is the Difference Between First Aid Training And CPR?
Both CPR and first aid are essential procedures that can help save lives. You can take a CPR class without first aid, but a first aid course through the Canadian Red Cross always includes CPR.
First Aid Training
During first aid training, you will learn a wide variety of procedures needed to help someone who is feeling ill or has suffered trauma from an accident. These procedures include treating deep cuts, burns, stopping bleeding, choking, allergic reactions, how to put a splint on a fractured bone, etc. You are trained to offer assistance to victims by relieving their pain and preventing them from suffering further injuries until professional medical assistance arrives.

CPR Training
During cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training, you are taught how to focus on someone who is experiencing cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest is caused by sudden heart dysfunction. Any person suffering the condition will be unconscious and not able to breathe. CPR is also a form of first aid but applies only to cardiac arrest.
CPR is the only treatment that can help a victim of cardiac arrest because their heart has already stopped beating, and their condition is critical. The faster CPR is administered, the better the chance of the person’s revival and survival. Once revived, the person must be taken to a medical specialist immediately for further assessment of their condition and the cause.
A patient suffering from cardiac arrest cannot breathe. Therefore, the oxygen supply needed by the body is cut off. Since cells within the body rely on oxygen within the blood, damage starts taking place immediately when it is suddenly cut off. CPR training teaches you how to provide artificial heartbeat and restore blood circulation (also with the help of an AED), helping prevent damage to other vital organs. CPR training teaches you how to monitor the patient’s pulse and the importance of performing CPR until professional responders arrive.
CPR is Based on Specific Procedures
CPR training teaches you the correct procedures that must be carried out when helping a person suffering from cardiac arrest. During the training course, you are taught how each step follows the other and how to administer CPR without injuring the patient. Students will also learn how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), a specific tool used on victims of cardiac arrest.
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Is BLS The Same as CPR And First Aid?
There are several levels of CPR training. Namely, CPR A, CPR C, and CPR BLS. If you are unsure which level is the right one for you, here is a short explanation of each. Of course, before deciding, you should know that if you are getting CPR training for your job, you must choose the level that meets the requirements.

Basic Life Support (BLS)
Basic life support (BLS) is the level required if you are planning to become a professional first responder, paramedic, firefighter, or healthcare provider (doctor or nurse). Up until early 2019, the Canadian Red Cross taught the HCP (Health Care Provider) level of CPR, but then it was replaced with BLS.
The training only takes a few hours, and certification is valid for one year.
CPR C Training
CPR C training is very popular because it includes techniques to assist choking/unconscious adults, children, and infants. During the training, you are also taught how to apply two-rescuer CPR and use an AED. The training is required for all people working with children, those working in healthcare, and for most workplaces. Recertification is required every three years.
CPR A Training
Some workplaces just require CPR A training. During CPR A training you learn to assist adults who are choking or require CPR.
Is It Better to Take A CPR And First Aid Training Online or In-Person?
Online courses are very good if you want to learn the basics of first aid and CPR but don’t want to commute and want to complete it at your own pace. However, an all-in class or blended course is often the better option if you are learning first aid and CPR for your workplace or care for children and the elderly. By attending training, you get to practice everything you learn, especially the use of the equipment. This not only enhances your skills but gives you the added confidence to practice everything you learned during the course.

The Online Only training does not provide you with a WSIB approved certificate, but an all-in-class or online blended training does.
Make sure that the course you use is offered by an accredited training agency with high standards and highly qualified Canadian Red Cross instructors. Find a training facility near you!
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