Skip to content

First Aid and
CPR/AED Instructor
Course

Canadian Red Cross Instructor Development courses train those interested in teaching various levels of Red Cross First Aid & CPR courses. Each course offers an interactive learning experience, where candidates are given the opportunity to practice presentation and training techniques in a small-group setting. Candidates work with Canadian Red Cross instructional resources, and may have pre- and post-course requirements in order to become certified as a Canadian Red Cross First Aid and CPR Instructor.

First Aid & CPR/AED Instructor Pathway

1. Evaluate Skills & Check Prerequisites

Prerequisites:
you must be 18 years or older, hold a valid Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C certification and must have successfully performed a skills evaluation.

There are sets of skills checklists for each program and course available on the Instructor Network. The candidate must successfully complete all skills without coaching.

2. Fundamentals of Instruction

Course Length:
8 hours online, 14.5 hours (2 days) in-class

Learn the Fundamentals of Instruction online prior to attending an in-class session. The information you learn online will be applied to your in-class training which is why it is mandatory that you complete the online training successfully.

You must attend and participate in 100% of the course.

3. Discipline-Specific Classroom Component

14.5 hours (2 days) in-class

Complete a First Aid & CPR discipline-specific class successfully.

You must attend and participate in 100% of the course.

4. Teaching Experience

Course Length:
30-45 minutes online, in-class time varies on participant’s competency

Complete the online Teaching Experience module prior to successfully demonstrating a classroom component with the aid of a Teaching Experience supervisor.

5. Certification

Earn a digital copy of your First Aid & CPR Instructor Certification.

  • Valid for 3 years
  • Teach: Emergency First Aid, Standard First Aid, Marine Basic First Aid, Emergency Child Care First Aid, Standard Child Care First Aid and CPR training courses

Post-Course Requirements

Meets the requirement of the co‐teach form as outlined by the Instructor Trainer

6. Teach with Coast2Coast

After you earn your Instructor certification, you may apply to complete a “co-teach” session at Coast2Coast.

You will be required to teach a section of a First Aid & CPR training course under the supervision of one of our experienced instructors. Once the course is complete, the instructor will provide you with feedback and confirm if you are ready to teach.

If an instructor fails you, you must complete the co-teach again.

Registration Process:

To enroll in the Instructor Training course correctly, you must register for two separate components. Please follow these steps for registration:

  1. Complete registration for the Skills Evaluation and Fundamentals of Instruction component
  2. Complete registration for the Discipline-Specific component

First Aid and CPR/AED Instructor Course Information:

Duration:

4 Days + 1 Skills Day

Requirements:

  • Hold a valid Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid certificate
  • Demonstrate a positive attitude
  • 100% attendance of the course
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the individual approach to instructing
  • Be able to demonstrate at any time all first aid and CPR/AED skills that are required for the course according to the Canadian Red Cross standards
  • Be flexible and adapt to the needs of each group
  • Be able to positively motivate and influence a group
  • Represent the Red Cross in a professional manner

Teaching Ability:

  • Understand how people learn
  • Effectively communicate information to a small group
  • Accept and give appropriate feedback
  • Teach and evaluate participants according to established standards
  • Identify how to include all participants in the course

Certification:

The Canadian Red Cross in accordance with the standards established by the Society must certify all Canadian Red Cross First Aid Instructors/Instructor Trainers. The certification of a Canadian Red Cross First Aid Instructor/Instructor Trainer is proof that all requirements have been met and that the Instructor/Instructor Trainer is certified and eligible to offer Canadian Red Cross First Aid courses to the public.

It is the responsibility of all Red Cross Instructors to ensure that their Instructor certification is current and valid to instruct Red Cross courses. No Instructor is to instruct if not holding a valid and current Instructor certification. Instructor certifications are three years in length.

Recent Awards and Recognition

first aid instructor course training

Professional
Responder Instructor
Development Course

Our Professional Responder Instructor Development course is a great way to increase your skills and teach first responders how to save lives. This is one of the most advanced disciplines you can learn as an instructor with the Canadian Red Cross.

Expand your teaching opportunities and complete an Instructor Development-Professional Responder training.

Red Cross Transfer course

You may also like:

The First Aid and CPR/AED Instructor Transfer course is a great option for those who have completed their training with a different recognized organization or are a former Canadian Red Cross First Aid instructor.

Become an instructor with Red Cross in this 2-day course.

Red Cross Transfer course

Hear From Our Students!

Video Testimonial Compilation

Coast2Coast First Aid & Aquatics is committed to providing community-oriented programs that empower individuals with essential life-saving skills. Our aim is to ensure that every participant in our classes and courses gains the necessary techniques to confidently respond to various emergencies. While we sincerely hope that such situations never arise, we are prepared to respond promptly and effectively when needed. Our facilities across Canada are equipped with state-of-the-art First Aid and CPR equipment and supplies. Explore our range of Canadian Red Cross programs or reach out to us for guidance in selecting the course that suits your needs and circumstances best.

Some of Our Happy Clients

Canadian_Pacific_Railway_Logo_full-min-300x104-1
Goodwill_Industries_Logo.svg-min-2
loblaws-300x94-1
Seal_of_the_Toronto_Police_Service.svg-min
tim-hortons-logo-Coast2Coast-min

Testimonial

David Marcoux
9 hours ago
Simply wonderful
sheila guevarra
1 day ago
Very interesting and lively. Chuck Farka is a great instructor. Highly recommended.
Stephanie Cheung
1 day ago
I had a great experience with the CPR & First Aid training. The instructor, Kia, was amazing. Not only did he teach us the necessary skills, but he also explained the reasoning behind each step, which made a huge difference in understanding.

The course was very instructive: it felt like a blend of human anatomy, hands-on training, and even some physics. Because of this approach, I now have a much deeper understanding of why we perform certain techniques, not just how to do them.

I feel much more confident and prepared to use these skills if needed, and I truly appreciate the quality of the training.
Photo from customer reviewPhoto from customer reviewPhoto from customer review
Response from the owner:Hi Stephanie! We strive to offer the best training experience possible, and that is why your review is very important to us! We’re so glad we were able to train you, someone who could potentially save a life in the future. Thanks for choosing Coast2Coast to learn life-saving skills. We hope to see you soon for recertification. Stay safe!
bhajan brar
1 day ago
Ahmid was an excellent instructor for the CPR and First Aid course. He explained everything clearly and made the material easy to understand His teaching style was engaging, and he kept the class interactive with real-life examples and hands-on practice.
Rebekah Westacott
1 day ago
fun 👍
Ayan De Fonseka
1 day ago
Ahmed Elsaid is an excellent instructor, clear, patient, and very engaging. He made my first CPR and First Aid and AED Level C easy to understand and built real confidence. Highly recommend, 5 stars!
Prathmesh Upasani
1 day ago
I completed my Standard First Aid, CPR/AED training with Trainer Charlie and had a great experience.
Lindsay
1 day ago
Ahmed elsaid
Was a great teacher guided you had a great paste And very good at demonstrating what to do during emergency situations. He was attentive And making sure every student was doing it correctly
Stephanie Cheung
1 day ago
I had a great experience with the CPR & First Aid training. The instructor, Kia, was amazing. Not only did he teach us the necessary skills, but he also explained the reasoning behind each step, which made a huge difference in understanding.

The course was very instructive—it felt like a blend of biology, hands-on training, and even some physics. Because of this approach, I now have a much deeper understanding of why we perform certain techniques, not just how to do them.

I feel much more confident and prepared to use these skills if needed, and I truly appreciate the quality of the training.
Photo from customer reviewPhoto from customer reviewPhoto from customer review
Kevin Ernst
1 day ago
Ahmed was an excellent teacher. I specially liked the scenarios he put us through. Made it so much more real.
A better facility would be nice. Admiral Inn is so so.
Bernard “Burni” Meyer
1 day ago
Ahmed Elsaid was an engaging instructor who helped the knowledge be memorable with mix of real world examples, interesting activities, light heartedness was possible and delicate tact when needed.

10/10.
Jagee Ajaja
2 days ago
Great teacher . Easy to understand. Highly recommended
lhaine taruc
2 days ago
The Facilitator is lively and I learned a lot..
Татьяна Гербич
2 days ago
Ahmed Elsaid, very interesting course with him, I really glad to meet him, thank you
sam bell
2 days ago
Liam Thomas
2 days ago
Ali is a great guy!
Ira Krugova
2 days ago
I took a Standard First Aid course with Ahmed Elsaid. His lesson was very vivid and memorable. Thank you for the excellent knowledge and great atmosphere. I felt more confident after his lesson.
Martin
2 days ago
Very professional and great teaching! Instructor Tatiana was fantastic!
Carolina Lleras
2 days ago
Our instructor Ahmed Elsaid was great and made the learning fun and informative
Karanpreet Singh
2 days ago
Ahmed elsaid the genius
Karlie Tiu
2 days ago
Jan was awesome! Spent a whole day with her and she made it fun and informative. Lots of hands on learning (which in my opinion is the best way to learn) and fun games to keep everyone engaged. Coast2Coast website made it super easy to book. I didn’t recieve my online course after waiting the 24 hours, so I sent an email to customer service & they were extremely prompt to help and send it over. No complaints whatsoever! Hoping when I get my recert, I’ll have Jan again!

Thanks to the whole Coast2Coast team!
Randa Khartabil
3 days ago
Renina C.
3 days ago
I took a First Aid course with Ali S. at the Newmarket location, and it was a great experience. He created a comfortable and welcoming environment right from the start and made the class engaging and easy to follow. The session was interactive, and all topics were explained clearly and thoroughly. Ali is a great instructor, and I would highly recommend him.

A few tips to be successful in this class: make sure you arrive on time, both at the start of the day and after breaks and lunch, as the course moves at a steady pace. Being interactive is also really important. If questions are asked, be sure to respond and participate. It not only shows engagement but also helps you better understand and apply the material. Staying focused, asking questions when you’re unsure, and actively taking part in scenarios will really help you get the most out of the course.
Soosh H
3 days ago
Ali is a great instructor. He’s very educated and speaks clearly, covering all the topics effectively. It was a pleasure to be in his class.
Nicholas Lambert
3 days ago
I just completed standard first aid with CPR/AED level C. The course itself is also very in depth, covering all topics I would expect to encounter in the office, in the field, and in day to day life. Maria is an excellent instructor, providing in depth and knowledgeable answers to all of my questions, and respectful guidance on course subject matter.
Christine McNamara
3 days ago
Ali was fun and vibrant and I learned so much from being with him
in person.
Jeremy Ho
3 days ago
Ali was an excellent and fun instructor. Very helpful and offered some great examples to help remember. Would recommend. Be sure to check your email for the Red Cross Registration immediately; if you don't get it call C2C immediately
Laura B.
3 days ago
I've been with Coast2Coast for atleast 3 years now and I've had Walaa twice so far as my instructor and she is always so awesome! The layout of the course was well organized and she was very knowledgeable. She helps us understand why we're doing what we're doing with Standard First Aid and CPR vs just teaching us the tools only to pass the test.
Response from the owner:Hi Laura! We would like to thank you on behalf of our team for trusting us with your training needs. We’re happy to see that you enjoyed your recent training course with us. Emergencies can happen at any time and we’re glad you took the steps to become more prepared. We hope you learned a lot and left feeling confident in your life-saving skills. See you soon for recertification! Stay safe.
Muck
3 days ago
Dimitrih was a wonderful teacher who made the class both fun and informative
Dilan Joseph
4 days ago
Marites Galvez
4 days ago
Staff are confident and demonstrated a strong understanding of topic!
Nooshin Raminfar
4 days ago
I took a First Aid course with Coast2Coast today, and honestly it was a really great experience—mostly because of our instructor, Prabh.

She explained everything in a way that was easy to understand and never rushed through anything. If someone had a question, she took the time to answer it properly, which made the whole class feel a lot more comfortable. You can tell she really knows her stuff, but also cares about making sure everyone actually learns.

I also liked how hands-on and interactive the class was. It didn’t feel boring or overly serious—she kept things engaging the whole time.

Overall, I learned a lot and feel much more confident now. I’d definitely recommend taking a course with Prabh if you get the chance!
behrooz ghasemi
4 days ago
The instructor was very knowledgeable and friendly, he is a very good teacher
Pardeep Jaat
4 days ago
Amazing Red Cross class! 😊
My instructor Prabh was incredibly kind, patient, and very knowledgeable. She made learning easy, engaging, and enjoyable. Highly recommended!
Navjot Kaur
4 days ago
Amir Mohajer
4 days ago
I had my class with Ali. Super nice guy and a great educator, the class did not feel like 8h whatsoever
Shahin Shahmalaki
4 days ago
Excellent First Aid training! The instructor was very professional, supportive, and made the material easy to understand. They answered all questions and created a positive learning environment. I really appreciated the practical examples and clear explanations. I would definitely recommend this course to others.
Ellie He
4 days ago
Just completed my standard first aid course here. The class was well-organized with hands-on practice, and the instructor was patient and very helpful. Overall a great experience!
Wellason Montizo
4 days ago
Mr. Ali was my instructor and he was a very fun instructor. Had a great time learning, he was clear in explaining the material while also giving us a funny remarks. Passed the test with flying colors
Uma Jarvis
4 days ago
Shalini Soosaipillai
4 days ago
Kia was an exceptional instructor who not only made the course engaging, but also very informative. He gave us many practical tips and advices. He is a very skilled professional all around and is very knowledgeable on many topics. Thank you!
Avnika Garg
4 days ago
I recently completed the Basic Life Support (BLS) course and had a great experience. The instructor Dimitrih Lavfleur was knowledgeable, clear, and made the session very engaging. The hands-on practice was especially helpful in building confidence with CPR and AED use. The course was well-organized and very relevant for healthcare professionals. Highly recommend to anyone looking for quality BLS training.
Alex bergman
5 days ago
Great instruction.
S Takla
5 days ago
Michelle Hall
5 days ago
Meera was thorough and pleasant to listen to. She engaged us when explaining the material throughout course and her energy was consistent.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Michelle! It's wonderful to hear that Meera made your course so engaging and that her energy was consistent throughout. We agree, she's fantastic at delivering our Red Cross certification courses in North York. If you know anyone who needs training, send them our way! 🎉 - The Coast2Coast Team

Aracelis Reyes
5 days ago
Excellent location 👏en amazing experience. Outstanding experience! The Richmond Hill location is clean, organized, and very welcoming. The instructor was extremely knowledgeable, patient, and made the training engaging and easy to understand. I gained real confidence in handling emergencies after completing the Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C course. Highly recommend Coast2Coast for anyone looking for high-quality training!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Aracelis! We're so glad you had an outstanding experience at our Richmond Hill location and gained real confidence after your Standard First Aid course. It's wonderful to hear that our instructor made the training engaging and easy to understand. 💪 Feel free to refer your friends and family - we'd love to help them too! - The Coast2Coast Team

Avi Chauhan
5 days ago
I recently completed my Standard First Aid & CPR training in Richmond Hill, and I had an amazing experience.

A big thank you to our instructor, Edward. He was incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and engaging throughout the session. He explained everything clearly, made the training interactive, and ensured everyone felt confident practicing the skills.
I walked away with not only valuable life-saving knowledge, but also the confidence to actually apply it in real situations. It was a very hands-on and practical learning experience, and I genuinely learned a lot of new skills. Most recommended!!
Maria Romagnoli
5 days ago
Excellent First Aid and CPR training by Chuck. Very engaging, great teaching and practical experience and applications shared. Really enjoyed his teaching style and the class was very informative and interesting; great overall!
Ted G
5 days ago
Ali is great instructor, the course is painful to sit through but he made it a better experience.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Ted G! 🙏 We're so glad to hear that Ali made your Standard First Aid course experience in North York a positive one, even with the challenging content. We agree, he's great at making the learning engaging! If you know anyone who needs training, send them our way! - The Coast2Coast Team

Nikki Walker
5 days ago
Selena is the best! Honestly, a very engaging and energetic teacher. I was so impressed by her delivery and how she made a loooooong course and a loooong day, that could have otherwise been boring, fun! engaging! and entertaining! and educational!!!! Thank you and I am sooo happy with all my new knowledge!!!!!

Our First Aid & CPR Training Facilities in Canada

Coast2Coast First Aid & Aquatics provides WSIB-approved and OHS-approved First Aid, CPR, EMR, Youth training courses and more in over 25 locations in Canada! We pride ourselves on providing the best training experience possible, ensuring our students leave their course feeling confident in their life-saving skills.

Shopping cart