IN THIS BLOG
IN THIS BLOG
- Levels of First Aid
- How Long is Emergency First Aid & CPR Training?
- How Long is Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Training?
- How Long is Marine Basic First Aid Training?
- The Importance of Recertification Training
- Recertification Eligibility
- First Aid Recertification Training Course Lengths
- Register for First Aid Training in Ontario
Emergencies can occur at any time, and being equipped with the necessary skills to provide immediate and effective first aid can make all the difference in saving a life. Having the ability to administer first aid is a critical skill that can save lives, and it is highly recommended for everyone to acquire. A frequently asked question regarding First Aid training is, “How long does a first aid course take?” In this blog post, we will provide detailed information about the different First Aid trainings that are available, including the duration of each course.
Does Your Profession Require First Aid Training?
Levels of First Aid Training in Canada
The three types of First Aid Courses comprise of:
Each of our First Aid training courses at Coast2Coast include CPR/AED training. There are two levels of CPR/AED training including level A and level C. Level A is tailored for students seeking to acquire skills in supporting adults solely. This means that they will only learn how to provide CPR and use an AED on an adult.
Level C is ideal for individuals who work with adults, children and/or infants. This is our most concise option as it teaches students the skills to save lives for those of all ages.
Our first aid course duration will vary. Let’s jump into each of our course types so we can answer your question on how long does a first aid course take!
How Long is Emergency First Aid & CPR Training?
The Emergency First Aid & CPR course is designed to provide students with comprehensive and practical knowledge of essential life-saving skills, whether at home or in the workplace. This course covers the role of the first aider, chain of survival behaviours, and how to respond to circulation emergencies such as strokes and heart attacks. Students will also learn how to treat life-threatening external and internal bleeding, perform wound care, and much more.
If you’re wondering how long a First Aid course takes, the first aid course duration for the Emergency First Aid & CPR program is eight hours. The duration of this first aid certificate course may vary slightly depending on the method of delivery and the level of CPR training included.
At Coast2Coast, we offer this first aid training in Canada through two different formats: In-Class Training and Online Blended Training. These flexible options allow students to choose the format that best suits their schedule. Additionally, there are two levels of CPR included in the training: Level A and Level C. Emergency First Aid & CPR/AED Level A is offered exclusively to private clients, while Level C is available to both private and public participants.
| All In Class Training | Online Blended Training |
Level A (6.5 Hours Total) | Online 3 – 4 Hours In-Class 3.5 Hours |
Level C (8 Hours Total) | Online 3 – 4 Hours In-Class 5.5 Hours |
How Long is Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Training?
Our Standard First Aid & CPR course is designed to equip individuals with essential life-saving skills through a more in-depth and extensive curriculum. This training includes how to prepare for emergencies, victim management using the 3 Cs (Check, Call, Care), and proper care for wounds, burns, and bandaging techniques. It also covers how to handle emergencies related to extreme weather and much more.
If you’re asking how long a first aid course takes, the Standard First Aid course duration is 16 hours total (whether you complete it in an online blended format or a traditional all-in-class format). The duration of this first aid certificate course ensures students receive comprehensive training and practical experience. Coast2Coast provides this first aid training in Canada through a variety of flexible options to suit different learning needs.
Our Standard First Aid & CPR/AED course includes both Level A and Level C CPR components. While Level A is available exclusively for private clients, Level C is accessible to both private clients and public participants, ensuring broad accessibility for workplace and community training needs.
| All In-Class Training | Online Blended Training |
Standard First Aid CPR/AED Level A 13 Hours | Standard First Aid CPR/AED Level A Online – 7-8 Hours In-Class – 5.5 Hours |
Standard First Aid CPR/AED Level C 16 Hours Day 1 – 8 Hours Day 2 – 8 Hours | Standard First Aid CPR/AED Level C
Online – 7.8 Hours In-Class – 8 Hours |
Ready to Get Certified in First Aid?
How Long is Marine Basic First Aid Training?
Marine Basic First Aid is a specialized course designed for individuals working in or around the marine environment. This comprehensive training covers a wide range of emergency topics, including wound care, head and spine injuries, poisons, bone, muscle and joint injuries, airway emergencies, life-threatening internal and external bleeding, and environmental emergencies.
First aid course duration for Marine Basic is 16 hours. This can either be two full days in class or taken in an online blended format where you complete 7-8 hours online and 8 hours in class. The duration of the first aid certificate course allows participants to gain the skills and confidence needed to respond effectively to emergencies in marine settings.
At Coast2Coast, we offer first aid training in Canada through flexible delivery options to meet your needs. Whether you prefer hands-on learning or a mix of online and in-person sessions, we provide both All-In Class Training and Online Blended Training for Marine Basic First Aid certification.
| All In-Class Training | Online Blended Training |
16 Hours Lesson Time Day 1 – 8 Hours Day 2 – 8 Hours | 16 Hours Lesson Time Online 7 – 8 Hours In-Class 8 Hours |
The Importance of Recertification Training
It is crucial to understand the importance of recertification training given that First Aid & CPR certificates have a limited duration of validity. By taking recertification training, you can keep your certificate up-to-date and ensure that your skills and knowledge remain relevant and effective in real-life situations.
Canadian Red Cross First Aid & CPR Certification is valid for three years, and after the expiry, the holders must complete either a new training program or a recertification course depending on the type of certificate they hold.
Recertification Eligibility
To qualify for the Recertification course at Coast2Coast, it is mandatory to hold a current and active certificate issued by the Canadian Red Cross. We provide Recertification courses for various training levels, such as CPR/AED Level C, Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C, First Responder, and Emergency Medical Responder.
In order to recertify any other certificates (such as CPR/AED Level A or Emergency First Aid & CPR/AED Level C), you will need to register for a full training program. These courses are not available for recertification.
Recertification for the Marine Basic First Aid is not available, therefore to renew your certificate you will need to enroll in the full course again.
Below are some the prerequisites one should attain for each recertification course you would like to achieve:
Prerequisites for Standard First Aid & CPR Recertification Course include:
- You must have a valid (not expired) Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C certificate.
- Your current certificate must be from the Canadian Red Cross. Certificates are accepted from all Canadian Red Cross training partners.
- Your current certificate must be from the full training course (traditional two day training or an Online Blended training course). If your current certificate says “Recertification,” you do not qualify for this Recertification course (please register for a full course or the Online Blended course instead).
- You must bring your current physical (or digital) certificate to your in-person training.
Prerequisites for CPR Recertification Course include:
- You must have a valid CPR/AED Level C certificate.
- CPR/AED-A cannot be recertified.
- You must bring your current physical (or digital) certificate to your in-person training.
If you do not meet the prerequisites listed above, we recommend you register for the Online Blended format of the full Training Course.
Prerequisites for First Responder (FR) Recertification Course include:
- Proof of current recognized First Responder certification
Prerequisites for Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) Recertification Course include:
- Proof of current recognized Emergency Medical Responder certification
First Aid Recertification Training Course Lengths
Coast2Coast provides multiple Recertification courses throughout our locations in Ontario and Alberta.
First Aid & CPR/AED Recertification
CPR/AED Level C Recertification
The All-In Class Training comprises a 4- hour session, whereas the Online Blended Training is divided into two separate segments, consisting of a 2-hour online component and a 2.5-hour in-class session.
Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C Recertification
To enhance your learning experience, we offer two distinct types of training sessions. The first is the All-In Class Training, which is a total of eight hours. The second option is the Online Blended Training, which is divided into two segments, consisting of a 4-hour online session, and a 4-hour in-class session, designed to provide a comprehensive and convenient training experience.
Recertification
| Course Level: | All In-Class Training | Online Blended Training |
|---|---|---|
| CPR/AED Level C Recertification | 4 Hours | Online: 2 Hours In-Class: 2.5 Hours |
| Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C Recertification | 8 Hours | Online: 4 Hours In-Class: 4 Hours |
Professional Responder Recertification
(Currently, we do not provide Professional Responder training in Alberta.)
First Responder Recertification
Our In-Class Program provides an extensive training which is a total duration of 20 hours.
Emergency Medical Responder Recertification
Coast2Coast provides an all-encompassing In-class Program that delivers a total of 40 hours of training to equip you with the required skills and knowledge.
Professional Responder Recertification
| First Responder Recertification | In-Class 20 – Hours |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Responder Recertification | In-Class 40 – Hours |
Register for First Aid Training in Canada
Join us at Coast2Coast for Emergency First Aid & CPR/AED, Standard First Aid & CPR/AED, Marine Basic First Aid, and Recertification courses, offered at multiple convenient locations across Ontario and Alberta—including Toronto, Ottawa, London, Hamilton, North York, Mississauga, Calgary, Edmonton and more.
Many people ask, “How long does a first aid course take?” The answer depends on the course you choose. Our Emergency First Aid course duration is typically one day, while the Standard First Aid certificate course duration and Marine Basic First Aid usually take two days to complete. No matter the format, we provide flexible and high-quality first aid training in Canada to meet your needs.
By enrolling in our WSIB and OHS-approved courses, you’ll receive a Canadian Red Cross certificate that remains valid for three years. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain essential life-saving skills and confidence. Register now and take the next step toward becoming certified!
