Being certified in First Aid and CPR/AED helps people who are trained to offer immediate help if someone has suddenly taken ill or is injured. Not only can your assistance help save lives, but it can also stabilize injuries and prevent future disabilities.
Life-saving skills are important. If you have decided to attain a First Aid and CPR/AED certificate, you might be confused with which level of training you should register for. There are, generally, two different options available: Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C (SFA) and Emergency First Aid & CPR/AED Level C (EFA). What’s the difference between Standard and Emergency first aid?
In Canada, there are various requirements for different workplaces. Some workplaces require their employees to be certified in a basic level of first aid. First aid regulations specify exactly what qualifications are needed in different workplaces. The training you may need as a daycare worker will be different than what is required of a personal support worker.
In Ontario, the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act – WSIB Regulation 1101, states that first aid kits and stations are compulsory in all places of employment. Employers must also ensure these are overseen by someone who holds a valid first-aid certificate. The level of the first aid training differs according to the place of employment and the number of employees.
It is important to understand if Standard First Aid is the same as Emergency First Aid as these are the most commonly required First Aid and CPR/AED training courses. Let’s learn what the difference between Standard and Emergency first aid is.
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What is an Emergency First Aid Course?
If you are looking for a quick, comprehensive introduction to first aid, then the Emergency First Aid & CPR/AED Level C course is specially designed for you. This course is about eight hours long and can be completed in one day. Emergency First Aid training covers all the required basic first aid and CPR/AED skills to help you deal with various emergencies.
These skills include:
- Lowering risk of infection
- Check, call, care
- Recovery position
- Shock
- CPR/AED & Choking (adults, children and infants)
- Assisting with medications
- Angina and heart attack
- Stroke
- Life-threatening internal and external bleeding
- Wound care
Emergency First Aid & CPR/AED Level C Recertification
This training course cannot be recertified in Ontario. If you have completed an Emergency First Aid & CPR/AED Level C training course and wish to renew your certificate, you will need to register for a full training course again.
What is a Standard First Aid Course?
A Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C course differs from the Emergency First Aid course because it is designed to teach you far more. This course covers many types of emergencies. That means it will go into greater depth and the time required to finish the course is usually two days (or 16 hours). This ensures that each skill is not only taught but also practiced so that the various treatments can be offered with confidence.
Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C training is an extension of Emergency First Aid & CPR/AED Level C. This course will include all training in an Emergency First Aid course as well as additional topics.
These skills include:
- Lowering risk of infection
- Check, call, care
- Recovery position
- Shock
- CPR/AED & Choking (adults, children and infants)
- Assisting with medications
- Angina and heart attack
- Stroke
- Life-threatening internal and external bleeding
- Wound care
- Head and spinal injuries
- Bone, muscle and joint injuries
- Medical emergencies
- Environmental emergencies
- Poisons
Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C Recertification
If you are looking to recertify your Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C certificate, you are able to do so as long as you meet the following requirements: you must have a valid (not expired) Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C certificate and it must be from a full training, not a Recertification course. This means that you will need to alternate between a full course and a Recertification course. It’s important to complete your Recertification training early to keep your certificate up-to-date!
What Exactly is the Difference Between Standard and Emergency First Aid?
Now that we know what topics are taught in each course, we understand the difference between Standard and Emergency first aid! Emergency First Aid is the base training needed by anyone who wants to be able to respond in a sudden medical emergency. It offers the bare minimum training needed by many employees, family members, and the general public.
Emergency First Aid meets the requirements of some employers and provincial workplaces. These usually include recreational facility staff, summer camp councilors, personal trainers, medical and laboratory technicians, security guards, etc.
Standard First Aid is the most common type of course that is required in most workplaces and provincial bodies. People who have Standard First Aid training can offer far more assistance during emergencies, including illnesses, life-threatening emergencies, and serious injuries.
According to WSIB regulations, in any workplace where more than 5 employees are working on a particular shift, employers need to make sure there is always a certified first aid employee present. The occupations that commonly require Standard First Aid include police, daycare workers, nursing students, heavy machinery workers, industrial workers, etc.
People who need to take a first aid course should always check which one they need for their field before registering.
First Aid & CPR/AED Training
We hope this blog has helped you understand the difference between Standard and Emergency first aid. If you are still unsure what level of training is required of you, feel free to contact us or speak with your employer/school program coordinator for more information.
If you are ready to register for a training course in Ontario, please check out our locations and choose the facility closest to you! We offer WSIB-approved First Aid & CPR/AED courses multiple times a week, perfect for students looking to become certified.
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