Understanding First Aid Training in Ontario: Choosing the Right Course for Your Industry

In Ontario, there are two levels of first aid training designed to meet the needs of different industries. When selecting a first aid course, it’s important to choose based on your workplace or school program requirements to ensure compliance with safety standards and regulations.

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Emergency First Aid CPR Level C with AED Training

Best suited for: Low-hazard environments with five or fewer people per shift.

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• Certification validity: 3 years

• Training format:

  • Non-blended: 8 hours in person

  • Blended: 3 hours online + 4 hours in person

• Industries that commonly take this course include security guards, truck drivers, retail workers, and other low-risk occupations.

 

Our Emergency First Aid course covers essential life-saving techniques, including:

• CPR Level C and AED usage to assist adults, children, and infants in cardiac emergencies.

• Deadly bleeding management to control and treat severe wounds effectively.

• Choking response for individuals experiencing airway obstructions.

• Recognition and response to medical conditions, including stroke, heart attack, opioid overdose, and diabetic emergencies.

• Basic first aid skills to stabilize patients until professional medical help arrives.

For more details, visit the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) for official first-aid training requirements in Ontario.

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Standard First Aid CPR Level C with AED Training

Best suited for: High-hazard environments with six or more people per shift.

• Certification validity: 3 years

• Training format:

  • Non-blended: 16 hours in person

  • Blended: 6 hours online + 8 hours in person

• Industries that commonly take this course include construction, daycare workers, manufacturing, and healthcare professionals.

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Our Standard First Aid course provides a more comprehensive level of training, covering all aspects of Emergency First Aid plus additional topics, such as:

• Bone and joint injuries, including fractures, sprains, and dislocations.

• Poisoning and overdose response, including treatment for accidental ingestion and toxic exposure.

• Environmental injuries, such as heat exhaustion, hypothermia, and frostbite.

• Eye injuries are caused by foreign objects, chemicals, or blunt trauma.

• Chest injuries, including punctures, collapsed lungs, and broken ribs.

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Which First Aid Course Is Right for You?

Choosing the right first aid course depends on your industry, workplace hazard level, and employer requirements. Many workplaces in Ontario are required by law to have designated first aiders who are trained and certified.

Employers looking to ensure compliance with Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) should consider enrolling staff in one of these first-aid courses to improve workplace safety and preparedness.

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Get Certified with Holmes Safety Training

Holmes Safety Training offers WSIB-approved first aid courses tailored to meet the needs of various industries. Whether you need Emergency First Aid for low-risk settings or Standard First Aid for high-risk environments, our expert instructors provide hands-on training to ensure you're fully prepared for emergencies.

Ready to get started? Register for a course today and gain the skills needed to respond confidently in an emergency situation.