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?

why 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

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.

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

Register today for a CPR or First Aid training course at one of our locations across Ontario! Check out our facilities and book your spot now.

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!

Questions About Your Course?

Our team is ready to help you with your questions. Don’t hesitate and contact us today.

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.

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.

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.

Questions About Your Course?

Our team is ready to help you with your questions. Don’t hesitate and contact us today.

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.

Inquire about CPR Training

Do you have questions regarding CPR training? Contact us today! Our customer service representatives are ready to assist you.

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!

Register to Earn CPR Certification!

Find which CPR certification is best for you!

What do You do in First Aid Training?

First aid training courses vary, but they give participants the chance to learn important skills to confidently help people in emergencies. In Canada, there are several levels of First Aid training, including Emergency First Aid and Standard First Aid.

For individuals who are not redoing a course to maintain their certification, these courses are designed to offer complete preparation on various important aspects of first aid training, including CPR. What do you do in First Aid training, though?

What You Should Know Before Attending a First Aid Course

First aid training courses welcome everybody and teach you important life-saving skills, giving you the knowledge and confidence to deal with any type of emergency. Whether you need to learn the skills for your workplace or personal reasons, they prove invaluable training.

There are several techniques you can expect to learn from the course, and you need no prior knowledge to learn everything required to get your first aid certification.

Preparing For the Course

You may feel that the course will prove too challenging for you to take everything in, and may be tempted to learn a few things beforehand. However, you don’t need to do anything to prepare for the course, because if you choose a good Red Cross training partner, you will learn everything required and how to practice it correctly.

Wear Appropriate Clothing

At the course, you will participate in practical demonstrations, requiring you to kneel on the floor. We recommend you wear comfortable clothing and flat shoes. Read the requirements for the course you are interested in, because some disabilities may make it impossible for you to participate. You must be able to perform the hands-on skills to earn your certification.

Course Training

Depending on the course and the level you choose, there will be a mixture of practical and theory modules covered during the hours required to complete the first aid course.

You will learn to examine a victim, use a defibrillator, perform CPR, and how to control bleeding and trauma. These basic skills are important for you to deal with any potentially life-threatening situation until medically trained first responders arrive.

Students will learn how to treat scalds and burns, and assist someone who is choking. You will also be taught the importance of recording everything about the patient, and how to pass on this information to other responders. 100% attendance is required for the courses, and you need to get 75% or higher on your knowledge test. Your certification will be valid for three years.

Inquire about CPR Training

Do you have questions regarding CPR training? Contact us today! Our customer service representatives are ready to assist you.

Training Providers

All course instructors are Red Cross trained and qualified, with extensive experience in passing on their knowledge and skills to you. They keep their qualifications up-to-date in order to teach.

What About Free Courses?

You can take advantage of free first aid courses in your area, and they are great to help you learn a few basic techniques. However, these are only an introduction to first aid, and the things you will learn are limited. Therefore, if you want in-depth knowledge and the peace of mind that you passed an assessment, choose a first aid course that meets the latest teaching standards and first aid protocols. This way, you will be geared to offer the right assistance in any emergency. If you require an official certificate that’s WSIB approved, free courses will not meet this expectation.

Who Can Enroll in a First-Aid Course?

Anyone can enroll in first-aid training and CPR courses as long as they are able to perform the hands-on training and complete a multiple choice exam on their own. The American Heart Foundation even advocates children from as young as nine learn to perform CPR, even though they still don’t have the strength to perform adequate compressions on an adult. The skills learned at this age are easily retained for life, and can be used to save a life.

As adults, the type of course chosen will depend on if it’s needed to enhance your general knowledge to treat emergencies, needed for your workplace, or you want a career in first response or as a paramedic. You have to meet the particular course requirements and the course must be compliant with your local regulations.

What Can I Expect to Learn in a CPR or First Aid Course?

Whether you choose to take an all online, blended (with some online instruction), or a traditional instructor-led course, you will acquire the knowledge to save a life. For those participants who feel hands-on training is best, highly qualified instructors teach all the basics and use of the equipment. Course completion requires passing all levels of the course taken, and certificates are valid for up to three years.

Course Topics

The topics covered in the various first aid course include:

Role of the first aider
Check, call, care
Identifying the signs of sudden cardiac arrest, stroke, and angina
Understanding chain of survival behaviors
Lowering infection risks
Performing CPR/AED (Level C has additional training for children and infants)
Compression-only CPR
The importance of personal safety and standard precautions
Steps to assess an unresponsive person
Recovery position (including an unresponsive person)
Treatment for a choking adult, child, or infant
Assisting with medications
Internal and external bleeding
Caring for wounds

First aid certification courses are designed to teach you how to recognize most symptoms in medical emergencies and to treat people after various accidents or natural disasters. You also learn about the importance of offering help. You learn how to conduct an initial assessment in any situation, whether the individual is responsive or not. The training includes how to safely move injured people, and the importance of maintaining all the standard precautions, determining the best treatment, and offering the necessary protections.

What Do You Need to Do as a CPR or First Aid Provider?

The basic CPR and First Aid knowledge provide you with the skills needed to perform both CPR and First Aid. Depending on the course, you will learn to perform one-person CPR, rescue breaths and CPR, CPR with hands only, administering CPR as part of a team of two, and administering a shock from an AED.

On completing any First Aid course, certified individuals know how to:

Control bleeding
Handle someone with head, neck, or back injury
Assess and treat limb injuries
Respond to burns
Treat minor injuries
Identify and assess a patient when their mental status is altered
Helping someone experiencing breathing difficulty or shortness of breath (also how to use an EpiPen)
Respond to chest pain and discomfort
How to control increased or lowered blood pressure
Treating poisoning
Respond to environmental emergencies like hypothermia or heat stroke.

Practicing Everything Learned in CPR and First Aid Lessons

All training is excellent, but the best way for someone to reinforce the course work is with hands-on training. Instructors have the opportunity to watch trainees, correct them, and review their First Aid and CPR knowledge.

Gaining the Confidence to Help

First aid and CPR training give you the knowledge, skills, and experience to help people in all types of situations with confidence. The training also teaches you about what boundaries you must maintain and to understand any limits in your abilities.

Ready to complete your First Aid training? Join us at one of our 18 locations in Ontario! We provide training multiple days a week for your convenience. Get registered now and gain the confidence you need to save a life.

Register for First Aid Training!

We have 24 locations across Canada, find out which facility is closest to you and enroll today!

Why is First Aid Important?

First aid knowledge and certification are important for you, your family and your community. Injuries and sudden illnesses are not uncommon, and first aid enables you to assist anyone in need. Basic first aid certification is easy to get, allowing you to offer initial assistance to people, whether the emergency is in your home, workplace, or a public space.

The simple techniques and procedures you are taught are invaluable when it comes to helping others. You are taught to offer assistance with limited equipment until professional medical assistance arrives.

First aid training is often put off by people who say they don’t have the time, are unsure where to get the basic training, don’t believe they will ever need it or feel they already have enough first aid knowledge.

Learning about the three P’s is what everyone learning to administer first aid is taught. These essentials are to preserve life, prevent further injury and promote recovery. Don’t put off learning these important life-saving skills.

Why Is It Important to Know and Use the Fundamentals of First Aid?

The fundamentals of first aid training allow trained people to assist an injured or ill person during several types of emergencies.

These situations include the ingestion of a harmful substance, someone suffering a heart attack, seizure or stroke, and several types of accidents, whether in the workplace or a motor vehicle accident. Additionally, first aid training prepares you on how to react if anyone needs assistance during a natural disaster.

As a trained and knowledgeable person, even if it’s just in the basics of First Aid, you can assist an injured person until the arrival of emergency responders. Communities and workplaces benefit when a large majority of people within them have first aid training.
First Aid knowledge also benefits the injured or ill party and all those around them. Whether people are directly or indirectly involved in an emergency, first aid diminishes its severity.
First Aid knowledge and training are beneficial to everyone, but it is even more valuable for anyone who lives or works with individuals requiring ongoing special attention or treatment, including children, chronic illness sufferers, those with physical or mental disabilities, the elderly, persons with disorders such as epilepsy, anyone working in a dangerous environment (like factories and construction sites) or at recreational facilities.

Inquire about CPR Training

Do you have questions regarding CPR training? Contact us today! Our customer service representatives are ready to assist you.

What Makes First Aid in Schools So Important?

Children are at the most active phase of their lives and are often the victims of medical emergencies. That’s why first aid training is essential for everyone in a school setting, even the children.

Schools are the ideal setting for minor and major accidents like falls, tripping, children colliding, and swimming pool accidents. Whether the injuries from these are slight or severe, first aid is vital to helping the victims by helping the first aider assess the situation, handle any injuries, and to call for emergency assistance if needed. First aid can not only prevent the injured child’s condition from getting worse but can save their life.

Staff and students at schools should be equipped with basic first aid skills and CPR training to prevent injury-related mortality rates, promote safety and prevent student disabilities caused by injuries.

School first aid training also helps students become better-equipped adults, both in their homes and their communities.

These are the essential first aid basics for school children:

Learning the skills of staying safe and healthy
Checking the safety of the area of an emergency
Learning to keep calm in an emergency
Keeping the injured person alert while calling for professional emergency help
Properly learning how to get details from the injured person about their condition, and describing it to others
Learning how to perform CPR
Treating burns, cuts, and scrapes
Applying pressure to a wound to stop bleeding
Basics of wound bandaging
Relieving an allergic reaction
Stopping a nosebleed

What Should You Put in Your First-Aid Kit at Home?

Offering first aid to someone who is ill or injured brings them immediate relief. The training itself is the first tool required, but a well-stocked first-aid kit is also important. Whether this is for the home, a business, school, vehicle, or community environment, it should always be kept somewhere easy to find.

For your home first aid kit, you can either buy one or prepare a container with all the essentials yourself. Remember, it must be sturdy, have dividers for better organization, and should be easy to carry and open.

Include the following in your first-aid kit:

Up-to-date first-aid manual
List of emergency phone numbers
Different sizes of sterile gauze pads
Medical adhesive tape
Several sizes of adhesive bandages
Elastic bandage
Splint
Antiseptic wipes
Antibiotic wipes
Antiseptic solution
Anti-itch wipes
Ibuprofen and acetaminophen to treat minor and severe fever and pain
Tweezers
Sharp scissors
Safety pins
Instant cold packs
Calamine lotion
A bottle of ethyl alcohol or alcohol wipes
Thermometer
Some latex gloves
CPR mouthpiece

You can also include a tooth preservation kit and a flashlight with extra batteries. Make sure everyone at home knows where to find the kit, including babysitters and caregivers, and replace the ointments and medications when they expire. Also, replace other items that are used up or missing.

Conclusion

First aid training gives you the confidence to deal with any emergency. Since first aid techniques do change, make sure you keep up to date with them, ensuring you can properly deal with any situation. Lastly, first aid saves both lives and money, and its proper administration reduces recovery times, prevents serious infections, and makes places safer.

If you’re ready to register for a First Aid & CPR/AED training course in Ontario, you may register at one of our 18 locations. Gain the confidence and skills required to save a life.

Register for First Aid Training!

We have 24 locations across Canada, find out which facility is closest to you and enroll today!

What Will I Learn from CPR & First Aid Class?

what will i learn from a cpr and first aid class

Situations where people are hurt or experience a sudden incapacity to breathe can happen at the most unexpected times and places. CPR and First Aid classes prepare you to deal with any unforeseen situations by providing you with the correct knowledge of different lifesaving skills.

You may be wondering, “What Exactly will I learn from CPR and First Aid class?” is one of the many questions that come to mind when thinking about first aid training, so let’s dive into it!

Difference between CPR and First Aid

CPR and First Aid training are different because they entail different lifesaving skills. If a person is suffering from cardiac arrest, CPR is applied to assist them until help arrives. On the other hand, a person who is injured requires first aid assistance.

Skills and knowledge acquired with CPR Training

CPR/AED training prepares you for your role as an emergency service provider

1. CPR Laws and Safety

During the training, you are taught to watch for the signs of various health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, etc. Courses also teach you how to assess the situation if the person is unresponsive. You can expect to learn the universal precautions that are essential in any emergency and how to take personal safety measures when attending to someone.

Part of the training includes learning laws to protect a victim as well as yourself. You will learn when to provide care, how to check if a scene is safe and how to direct bystanders for additional assistance. During CPR training, you learn the skills required to ensure you practice the chain of survival and the Good Samaritan regulations. You are also taught how to work alone or in a coordinated team.

2. CPR Knowledge

There are several different types of CPR/AED courses available to choose from. In-depth training is aimed to help you understand the importance of CPR and how it is administered. The information offered covers how proper CPR restores breathing and blood circulation to save lives. Students will learn how to administer CPR using hands and rescue breaths and working together with a team to provide CPR with the use of an AED (automated external defibrillator).

Most importantly, you learn how to apply CPR according to the age of the victim. CPR/AED Level C training includes learning how to perform CPR on all age groups, including infants. CPR/AED Level A, on the other hand, only teaches you how to perform CPR on adults.

Inquire about CPR Training

Do you have questions regarding CPR training? Contact us today! Our customer service representatives are ready to assist you.

3. Treat Choking Victims with CPR

During your CPR training, you will learn how to treat choking victims who are either in a conscious or unconscious state. You are also taught how to offer help to choking victims of different ages as methods are different for infants and adults.

4. Using an AED

Using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is included in every CPR course. You are taught how to operate the device and when to use it. During your CPR/AED Level C class, you learn how to use the AED on infants, children, and adults.

First Aid training

There are two types of first aid courses that you can choose to take: Emergency First Aid & CPR/AED Level C or Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C. Each training course covers important life-saving skills, although Standard First Aid is a higher level of training and includes additional material.

In a first aid class you are taught how to recognize and manage different first aid situations, including stroke, broken bones, bleeding, hypothermia, frostbites, heat-related illness, seizure, muscle injuries, poisoning, burns and more. Learn how to control the condition suffered by the victim and how to offer relief.

During the first aid class, you will also learn how to assess the mental state of accident victims and how to move a patient to a safer place during an emergency. Finally, you learn how to identify a patient who is having difficulty inhaling and how to restore their breathing.

Once your training is complete, you will know how to handle various types of emergencies. Use your skills to help relieve suffering or further injuries of patients until help arrives.

Final take

Whether you decide to take an Emergency First Aid CPR/AED or a Standard First Aid CPR/AED course, you will be taught enough important life-saving skills to confidently assist a victim during an emergency.

Register for First Aid Training!

We have 24 locations across Canada, find out which facility is closest to you and enroll today!