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.

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.

Register for your Coast2Coast Canadian Red Cross and WSIB approved First Aid Training today.