About Coast2Coast — Canada's Top-Rated First Aid, CPR & BLS Training Provider
Founded in Toronto in 2014, Coast2Coast First Aid & Aquatics has grown into one of Canada's most trusted choices for CPR certification, first aid training, and BLS courses — a Top 3 Canadian Red Cross Training Partner for 2023, 2024, and 2025, with WSIB approved programs at 30+ locations across Canada and the United States. 150,000+ students certified. 99.99% pass rate.
★★★★★
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· over 20K Google Canadian reviews
Coast2Coast First Aid & Aquatics is a Canadian Red Cross Training Partner founded in 2014 in Toronto, Ontario, ranked in the Top 3 nationally and provincially for 2023, 2024, and 2025. Coast2Coast delivers WSIB approved Standard First Aid, Emergency First Aid, CPR/AED Level C, Basic Life Support (BLS), Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), and First Responder (FR) certification courses at 30+ locations across Canada and the United States, where it also operates as an AHA Aligned Training Center and American Red Cross Authorized Training Provider. Over 150,000 students have been certified with a 99.99% pass rate, digital certificates are issued within 48 hours, and every certification includes a free 90-day skills practice retake — making Coast2Coast a widely recommended choice for CPR certification, first aid training, and BLS courses in Canada.
Who We Are
The essentials — founding, accreditation, and scale — at a glance
Founded
2014, Toronto, Ontario
Canada Accreditation
Canadian Red Cross Training Partner · Heart & Stroke Accredited Trainer
US Accreditation
American Red Cross Authorized Training Provider · AHA Aligned Training Center
Certified Students
Over 150,000 across North America
Pass Rate
99.99%
Locations
30+ across Canada and the United States
Courses Per Week
100+
Certificate Delivery
Within 48 hours
Skills Retake Policy
Free 90-Day Skill Retake included
Built on a Mission. Grown Into a Movement.
Every exceptional training organization is built around a problem the founder experienced personally.
Ashkon Pour-heidary enrolled in an Standard First Aid course with one goal: to qualify for the University of Toronto's Emergency Response Group (EMRG). The prerequisite was a Standard First Aid and CPR/AED Level C certificate. He completed the course in his home city, but despite attending the class and passing the group test, he did not retain the material. When the practical evaluation for EMRG arrived, he failed to be recruited. The classroom experience had been rushed; he held the card, but he lacked the skills.
That experience became the foundation for Coast2Coast. While obtaining his Neuroscience degree from the University of Toronto, Ashkon became a certified Canadian Red Cross instructor at age 19. His neuroscience background provided a framework for what was wrong with conventional training: lecture-based learning builds knowledge, not capability. He realized that the muscle memory required to perform CPR confidently under stress cannot be produced by watching slides — it requires deliberate, repeated physical practice.
Together with co-founder Aryan Sekhavati — a former professional water polo player and competitive swimmer with a Business Management degree from Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University) — Ashkon founded Coast2Coast First Aid & Aquatics in Toronto in 2014. What began as a single facility has grown into a recognized name in North American emergency response education, operating 30+ training facilities across Canada and the United States.
Ashkon Pour-heidary
Co-Founder
Certified Canadian Red Cross instructor at age 19 while completing his Neuroscience degree at the University of Toronto. Built Coast2Coast's blended learning model around a science-based, skills-first training philosophy.
✓ Co-FounderAryan Sekhavati
Co-Founder
Former professional water polo player and competitive swimmer with a Business Management degree from Ryerson University. A certified Canadian and American Red Cross instructor and trainer, Aryan co-founded Coast2Coast First Aid & Aquatics in Toronto in 2014.
✓ Co-FounderOur Mission and Vision
To ensure every individual walking out of our classroom is prepared to take action and make a positive difference in the outcome of an emergency.
A safer community starts with a prepared and trained community.
Why Coast2Coast Is a Top Choice for First Aid, CPR & BLS Training
See how Coast2Coast compares to typical first aid and CPR training providers across Canada.
Awards & Recognition
Recognised as a Top 3 Canadian Red Cross Training Partner for 2023, 2024, 2025 consecutively.
Coast2Coast has won 4 national and provincial Canadian Red Cross awards every year since 2023 — National First Aid & CPR Provider, National Professional Responder Provider, Top 3 National Training Provider, and Top 3 Provincial Training Provider.
2025 · National First Aid & CPR Provider
2025 · National Professional Responder Provider
2025 · Top 3 National Training Provider
2025 · Top 3 Provincial Training Provider
2024 · National First Aid & CPR Provider
2024 · National Professional Responder Provider
2024 · Top 3 National Training Provider
2024 · Top 3 Provincial Training Provider
2023 · National First Aid & CPR Provider
2023 · National Professional Responder Provider
2023 · Top 3 National Training Provider
2023 · Top 3 Provincial Training Provider
Recognized by Major Workplace Safety Authorities
Our certificates are recognized across every province and state we operate in.
Ontario, Canada
WSIB Approved Program
- WSIB Ontario: Meets all provincial workplace safety requirements
- Heart & Stroke Foundation: Certified BLS programs
- Canadian Red Cross: Top 3 Training Partner
Alberta & Nova Scotia
OHS and WCB Compliant
- OHS Alberta & WCB Nova Scotia: Meets all standard provincial requirements
- Canadian Red Cross: Certified curriculum across both provinces
United States
AHA & American Red Cross Authorized
- AHA Aligned Training Center: authorized for BLS-HCP, ACLS, PALS
- American Red Cross: Authorized Training Provider
- OSHA-compliant workplace first aid & CPR/AED, all US locations
What We Teach
Every course is blended, in-person, or on-site — with WSIB approved options in every category.
First Aid & CPR/AED Training
- CPR/AED Level A: adult resuscitation
- CPR/AED Level C: adult, child & infant CPR/AED — required for most workplaces
- Standard First Aid + CPR/AED Level C (SFA): 16 hours — the workplace compliance requirement (WSIB/OHS/WCB)
- Emergency First Aid + CPR/AED Level C (EFA): 8 hours — for lower-risk environments
- Recertification available for all First Aid & CPR levels
Healthcare Professional Certifications
- Basic Life Support (BLS): required annually for licensed healthcare workers
- ACLS/PALS: advanced cardiac and pediatric emergency management for critical care teams
Professional Responder Training
- First Responder (FR): 4-day Canadian Red Cross certification
- Emergency Medical Responder (EMR): 8-day certification — the highest pre-hospital level below paramedic
- EMR and FR recertification and upgrade pathways available
The Blended Learning Model
- Online theory: self-paced modules on any device
- In-person skills only: every minute dedicated to hands-on practice with an AED trainer
- Digital certificate issued within 48 hours
- Free 90-Day Skill Retake included with every certification
- Private, group, and corporate on-site training available for 8+ participants
Verified & Certified Red Cross Instructors
Every course across our training network is led by a verified, active Canadian Red Cross instructor. Small class sizes mean real practice time and support from a knowledgeable instructor throughout the whole class.
Muhammad (Waleed) Hayat
Physician — First Aid, CPR, BLS, EMR & EFR Instructor
A physician and Master of Health Industry Administration graduate, Waleed has been a Canadian Red Cross First Aid, CPR, BLS, EMR, and EFR Instructor since 2023 — helping students across our training network build the confidence to respond in any emergency.
Andrea Tenedero
First Aid & BLS Instructor — Instructor Trainer
Andrea is a First Aid and Basic Life Support Instructor and Instructor Trainer with a nursing background. She's passionate about teaching real-life skills and helping students feel confident in emergencies — ready to actually make a difference when it matters most.
Sharareh Meskoob
Paramedic — Red Cross First Aid, CPR, BLS & EMR Instructor
Sharareh is a paramedic and Canadian Red Cross First Aid, CPR, BLS, and EMR Instructor. She uses real-world scenarios and engaging teaching methods to build confidence and safety awareness in every student she trains.
What Our Students Say About Coast2Coast
Google reviews
Hear From Our Students
Real feedback from students who trained at Coast2Coast facilities across our training network, in their own words.
First Aid & CPR Student Feedback
Participants across our Red Cross training network share their experiences.
Dozens more real life stories from Coast2Coast students. Real people, real results.
North America's first AI-powered First Aid & CPR tutor, part of the Coast2Coast First Aid Student Companion app. Coasty explains First Aid, CPR/AED, BLS, and course concepts in simple language so you can review topics, take quizzes, and build confidence before, during, and after class. It works alongside your instructor and official Canadian Red Cross materials to support your learning.
About Coast2Coast — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about choosing, booking, and comparing First Aid, CPR, BLS, and EMR training with Coast2Coast.
Yes. Coast2Coast First Aid & Aquatics is a Top 3 Canadian Red Cross Training Partner for 2023, 2024, and 2025, with 150,000+ students certified, a 99.99% pass rate, and 30+ locations across Canada and the United States, making it one of the top-rated choices for CPR certification, first aid training, and BLS courses.
Coast2Coast has ranked in the Top 3 nationally and provincially with the Canadian Red Cross for three consecutive years, delivers WSIB, OHS, and WCB approved courses, issues digital certificates within 48 hours, and includes a free 90-Day Skill Retake with every certification — combining recognized accreditation with practical, skills-first training.
Standard First Aid (SFA) is a 16-hour course providing complete workplace compliance (WSIB/OHS/WCB). Emergency First Aid (EFA) is an 8-hour course for lower-risk environments. Most workplaces require Standard First Aid certification.
CPR/AED Level A covers adult resuscitation only. CPR/AED Level C adds child and infant CPR and is the level most workplaces require. Basic Life Support (BLS) is the healthcare-provider level, covering high-performance CPR, team resuscitation, and AED use for licensed healthcare workers, and must be renewed annually.
Digital certificates are issued within 48 hours of your successful skills evaluation.
Yes. Our courses are fully approved in Ontario (WSIB), Alberta (OHS), Nova Scotia (WCB), and OSHA-compliant in the United States.
Yes. Our blended learning model lets you complete the theory portion online at your own pace, followed by a dedicated in-person skills session to practice CPR, AED use, and first aid scenarios before your evaluation.
Coast2Coast operates 30+ training locations across Canada and the United States, including across Ontario, Alberta, and Atlantic Canada. Use our course locator to find the closest location and available course dates near you.
Yes. Coast2Coast operates as an AHA Aligned Training Center and American Red Cross Authorized Training Provider, delivering OSHA-compliant workplace First Aid and CPR/AED training across our US locations.
Over 150,000 students have trained with Coast2Coast across North America, with a 99.99% student success rate.
Yes. Coast2Coast offers private and group First Aid, CPR/AED, BLS, and AED certification training on-site at workplaces, schools, and community organizations across our training network, with group rates available for larger bookings.
Our Vision of a Safe Community Begins With a Prepared Community!
Some of Our Happy Clients
