.png)
.png)
Standard First Aid
(Occupational First Aid - Intermediate)
.png "Standard First Aid courses in Kelowna and Vancouver")
Standard First Aid (SFA) Course Summary
| Registration |
| Overview |
| Resources |
| Preparation |
| Skills |
Medi-Pro First Aid Training's Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course is an interactive and learner centered certification program which includes CPR & AED, and is Nationally recognized for credibility and up to date evidence-based first aid principles. You will learn how to systematically approach and manage a wide variety of emergencies including CPR & AED, Choking, Deadly Bleeding, Heart Attack, Stroke, Wound Care, Splinting, Diabetes, Concussion, Spinal Injuries, Hypothermia, Heat Stroke, Poisoning and Overdose.
SFA Certification
Upon successful completion of the Standard First Aid or SFA Recertification course you will recieve a Standard First Aid certificate with CPR-AED level C, as issued through the Canadian Red Cross, valid for 3 years. Canadian Red Cross certificates are generated and issued electronically through the national MyRC database, and provided in PDF format by email within 10 business days of completion of all course requirements.
WorkSafe BC OFA
When completed in British Columbia, WorkSafe BC recognizes your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid certificate as meeting and/or exceeding the training requirements for Intermediate level Occupational First Aid (OFA). Your SFA certificate will satisfy WorkSafe BC's requirements for Basic and Intermediate First Aid Attendant qualifications at any workplace where WorkSafe BC has jurisdiction for on-site workplace first aid requirements.
Alberta WCB
Your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid certificate is also recognized by the Alberta Worker's Compensation Board (WCB) as meeting the training and certification requirements for on-site First Aid Attendant qualifications. The Alberta WCB will recognize your SFA certificate at any workplace in Alberta and anywhere they have jurisdiction.
Child Care First Aid
Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid certification is recognized by the Interior Health Authority (IHA) as meeting and/or exceeding their requirements for Child Care facility worker first aid training, as outlined in "Schedule C" of the Child Care Licensing Regulations.
CPR & AED Included
Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid training courses include Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillation (AED) level C certification. CPR-AED level C indicates training to provide CPR to Adults (9 and older), Children (1-8), and Infants (under 1 year).
Course Duration & Recertification
Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid is a 16 hour training course, delivered in a "Blended Learning" format. Approximately 8 hours of the Standard First Aid course content is covered in a self-directed online learning component, then the final 8 hours involve a traditional in-person classroom session led by a Canadian Red Cross Instructor. If you already hold a current Standard First Aid certificate you can attend the shortened SFA Recertification course, which is just 8 hours in class and does not require the completion of online modules.
Standard First Aid Course Overview
Review the information in this section to make sure that Standard First Aid will meet your training and certification needs, and give yourself the tools to arrive fully prepared for success and enjoyment in your Standard First Aid course.
Canadian Red Cross SFA Certification
Canadian Red Cross First Aid and CPR programs are Nationally recognized for up to date protocols, and follow the the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) and the Consensus on Science and Treatment Recommendations (CoSTR) guidelines.
You'll learn and practice a consistent but flexible approach to checking for hazards and assessing sick or injured patients, and simple hands-on skills which will help you make safe decisions in any emergency, and provide immediate medical assistance to someone who is sick or injured.
Your Canadian Red Cross certificate is awarded to you after completion of your Kelowna Standard First Aid course, valid for 3 years and will indicate Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid (SFA) with CPR level C (CPR level A is available by special request). Canadian Red Cross certificates are generated and issued electronically through the national MyRC database, and provided by email within 10 business days of completion of all course and examination requirements.
More than just a certificate, you'll have the confidence to act, and Be the Difference during an emergency in your household, workplace, or community.
WorkSafe BC OFA Recognition
.jpg "Kelowna Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid courses include WorkSafe BC OFA Level 1 recognition and equivalence")
Standard First Aid certification is officially recognized by WorkSafe BC for meeting and exceeding the content and skills of Basic and Intermediate Occupational First Aid attendant certification.
Your Standard First Aid certificate fullfills WorkSafe BC's Intermediate Workplace First Aid attendant compliance regulations. Anywhere WorkSafe BC requires Intermediate Occupational First Aid certification, your Standard First Aid with CPR & AED is recognized by WorkSafe and your employer as a preferred qualification. WorkSafe BC's specific requirements for First Aid attendant training and certification will vary with each workplace, depending on work site hazard levels, number of workers on-site, access to emergency medical services, and travel time to the nearest hospital.
After completing a Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course, your certificate is nationally recognized for Worker's Compensation Board compliance in British Columbia and Alberta, as well as other Provinces across Canada.
Click here for more information about WorkSafe BC's First Aid policies and requirements.
CPR C included with SFA
.jpg "Kelowna Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid courses include CPR and AED certification")
Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid courses include Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification. CPR-AED level C (Adult, Child and Infant) certification is automatically included with your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid Recertification course. Other levels, including CPR-AED level A can be substituted by special arrangement.
- CPR-AED level A
Adult CPR skills only - CPR-AED level C
Adult, Child and Infant CPR Skills - Basic Life Support (BLS)
CPR and AED skills for Health Care Professionals working in a high-performance team environment
Basic Life Support (BLS) can be included with Standard First Aid instead of CPR level C, however this option is only available for private group bookings, and must be arranged ahead of time with Medi-Pro. In most cases the simplest solution is to attend Standard First Aid and BLS courses separately, which comprises the same total classroom time.
Child Care First Aid
.jpg "Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid courses meet the requirements for Child Care First Aid")
Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid is recognized by the Interior Health Authority (IHA) as meeting and/or exceeding their requirements for first aid certification training in Child Care facilities, as outlined in Schedule C of the legislation. Completing a Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course will provide you with an SFA certificate which is recognized by IHA for the purposes of Child Care first aid training.
Interior Health Authority.
If you work in a Day Care, Pre-School, School, or any Child Care business or service, our Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid will provide you with the training and accredited certification you need to be confident and compliant with your first aid skills.
You can view the Interior Health Authority's requirements for Child Care First Aid certification here, in "SCHEDULE C" of their Child Care Licensing Regulations.
Where to go
.png "Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid courses at 2011 Daimler Drive, West Kelowna, BC")
Most of our Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid courses are provided in multiple classroom locations in Kelowna, Vancouver, the Lower Mainland and throughout British Columbia. By request, we can schedule private courses for your group at specific location of your choosing.
The location and directions for your particular Standard First Aid course will be indicated during the booking process, and included in the confirmation email you will receive upon completing registration.
- Make sure the SFA course you are registering for is in a location that works for you.
- Our booking platform may show SFA courses at different geographic regions on different course dates.
- Check your confirmation email to ensure that the course location indicated is in the region you expected.
- The link in your confirmation email will incude directions, but you should verify your intended route of travel ahead of time.
- Allow ample time for traffic and unanticipated delays to ensure you arrive at your classroom in time for your scheduled course sessions.
Click here for directions, maps and public transit options.
We recognize and respectfully acknowledge that we operate on the traditional and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan and Secwepemc peoples.
Blended Learning
.jpg "Kelowna Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid courses are available in a Blended format including a mix of online e-learning and in-class practice")
Our Kelowna Standard First Aid courses are delivered in a "Blended Learning" format, which combines Online Modules with In-Class practice and allows you to complete much of the course online at your own pace, in your own home.
Blended Learning Standard First Aid courses are broken into two components:
- Online e-Learning modules
(approximately 8 hours to complete on your own schedule) - Practical skill application with the guidance of a Canadian Red Cross First Aid Instructor
(8 hours in-class)
Essentially, the first half the course is completed through online modules, while the second half is completed in-class like a traditional hands-on course.
- The online modules must be completed before attending the in-class session.
- Once both components have been completed, you will be awarded a Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid certificate which includes CPR & AED and is nationally valid for 3 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
.jpg "Frequently Asked Questionsa about Standard First Aid training courses in Kelowna and Vancouver, BC")
Frequently Asked Questions about Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid certification courses in Kelowna and Vancouver BC. Take a look through the Q & A topics listed below, to find answers to your Standard First Aid course questions. If you don't see the answers to your questions in this FAQ section, you may still find the information you're looking for in the other sections of this page, including Standard First Aid Overview, Standard First Aid Resources, and Standard First Aid Course Skills.
Of course, Medi-Pro First Aid is happy to answer all your questions if you choose to contact us directly through our Contact Us form, by email (training@mediprofirstaid.com), or over the phone (778-724-9054). We do our best to respond to all enquiries as quickly as possible during normal business hours from 9am to 5pm, Monday-Friday.
Q. When will I get my Standard First Aid Certificate?
Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid certificates are generated on the national MyRC course managemen platform and provided to Standard First Aid course participants electronically, in PDF format. Upon successful completion of your Standard First Aid course, Medi-Pro will upload and process your certification, and you will recieve your SFA certificate by email. Medi-Pro administration do their best to ensure this process is generally completed within 48 hours of course completion, but it in some circumstances it can take up to 10 business days. If you require immediate proof of Standard First Aid course completion, your Instructor can provide you with a temporary certificate before you leave the classroom. However it is up to each individual employer/regulatory agency to decide whether or not they accept temporary certificates. It is usually simplest to just forward your official Standard First Aid certificate with CPR level C (valid for 3 years) as soon as you receive it.
Q. Can I get a refund if I cancel my Standard First Aid course registration?
Medi-Pro's baseline policy is no refunds for last minute cancellations. However, we will do our best to work with you if circumstances beyond your control make it impossible for you to attend your scheduled course. In most cases, we can find an alternative course date for you and just move your existing registration to the new date. Depending on circumstances, and the number of previous cancellations, there may be a small re-booking charge, but we're compassionate people who understand that life can be messy.
Q. How long is a Standard First Aid course?
In British Columbia, the minimum classroom time required for a Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course is 14 hours. Medi-Pro generally schedules Standard First Aid courses over two days, with the first day covering 9 hours, and the following shorter day covering the subsequent 5 hours. This allows Standard First Aid participants to finish the second day early, with time to utilize the afternoon after the course is concluded. If your group requires a different timeframe, such as multiple evenings or a specific day of the week broken up across multiple weeks, you can make arrangements with Medi-Pro for a private booking that works for your group's scheduling needs.
Q. Is this a WorkSafe BC Occupational First Aid Level 1 (OFA 1) course?
WorkSafe BC officially recognizes Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid certification for meeting their Intermediate level Occupational First Aid (OFA) attendant qualifications. A Standard First Aid certificate is accepted for both Basic and Intermediate OFA certification for purposes of meeting WorkSafe BC's onsite first aid attendant qualifications and insurance coverage requirements.
Standard First Aid courses also cover additional first aid skills and knowledge, over and above those provided in an OFA course, and have the extra benefit of recognition by the Alberta Worker's Compensation Board. When you complete a Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course, you are covered to work and provide first aid in both British Columbia or Alberta. This is of particular benefit to oil and energy trades people, who frequently work in both provinces.
Q. Is there an age requirement for Standard First Aid courses?
The Canadian Red Cross does not have any age requirements to complete a Standard First Aid course or to receive Standard First Aid certification. Participants of any age are welcomed in our Standard First Aid courses, provided they are capable and willing to actively participate throughout the entire course. Of course, there are some considerations that might make it inappropriate for a very young participant, but there is no minimum age specification.
WorkSafe BC stipulates that you must be at least 16 years old to act as the offically designated First Aid Attendant in the workplace, but that does not preclude younger people from holding Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid certification. This age requirement only applies to workplace designation for WorkSafe BC compliance.
Q. Can I renew/recertify my old Standard First Aid certificate?
If you hold a current and valid Standard First Aid certificate from Canadian Red Cross, St. John Ambulance or another recognized provider, you qualify to complete a shortened Standard First Aid Recertification course. If your most recent SFA certificate has already expired, you will need to re-complete the full Standard First Aid course to obtain a new SFA certificate.
Q. I can't find my SFA Certificate. How can I get a replacement?
If you took your last Standard First Aid course with Medi-Pro Response Solutions or Frontline First Aid, we have a record of your certificate on file. Just let us know that you need a replacement copy and we'll send it out to you by email. Make sure to tell us if your email address has changed since your last Standard First Aid course registration, or if you need the copy sent to a different email.
Q. Where do Standard First Aid and CPR guidelines come from?
The International Liason Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR), and the corresponding Consensus on Science and Treatment Recommendations (CoSTR) task force groups constantly review and evaluate current First Aid and CPR practices from data collected around the globe. ICLOR and CoSTR periodically produce documents which summarize their most recent findings, as well recommendations on what current First Aid and CPR practices should be continued, which should be changed, and what new practices should be adopted. Based on the findings in these documents, as well as other scientifically credible sources, individual First Aid and CPR training providers such as the Canadian Red Cross produce their own evidence-based guidelines and educational delivery models.
Q. Do I need a Standard First Aid course?
Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid courses are appropriate for anyone who wants to learn new first aid and CPR skills, to brush up on and expand on existing first aid skills, or wants to improve their ability to respond with calm, assertive confidence in a medical emergency at work, home, or play. You might need Standard First Aid certification to meet the requirements for an employment or educational opportunity, help out in your community, or just improve your first aid skills. Either way, a Standard First Aid course is a great place to start your training in an enjoyable and learner centered atmosphere. The training, skills, knowledge, certification, content and learning objectives included with a Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course is relevant for...
- Construction and Trades Workers
- Summer Students
- Care Aides
- Nurses
- Oil Field & Energy Industry workers
- Students on job placement
- Teachers & School Volunteers
- Dental & Medical Office Staff
- Physical Therapists
- Chiropractors
- Massage Therapists
- Parents & Grandparents
- First Aid Attendants
- Day Care Workers
- Orchardists
- Agricultural Workers
- Coaches
- Harm Reduction Workers
- Cooks and Chefs
- Supervisors and Managers
You should always confirm specific course and certification requirements with your employer, educational institution or governing body before making your course selection. Medi-Pro First Aid can provide you with best practice recommendations based on industry standards, but cannot make a blanket guarantee that any particular First Aid course will meet your individual requirements.
Q. What is Hands-Only CPR?
The baseline performance of bystander CPR includes continuous cycles of chest compressions combined with alternating ventilations/rescue breaths. The chest compressions pump blood from the heart and circulate it to vital organs. The rescue breaths put oxygen back into the lungs and bloodstream so that the blood being circulated is keeping cells alive. Ideally, an AED should be used as soon as possible as well.
Hands-Only CPR (also known a Compressions-Only CPR) is an alternative which takes into account that a bystander may not feel safe or comfortable performing the rescue breathing component. Performing the chest compressions continuously, without providing rescue breaths, can still produce a positive outcome without the real or perceived risks associated with rescue breathing. Although not as statistically effective as traditional CPR, the application of Hands-Only CPR has been proven vastly superior to doing nothing, and can help ensure the patient is still viable when emergency crews arrive to perform more advanced procedures.
Standard First Aid Manuals and Resources
Get the most out of your Standard First Aid certification training before, during and after your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course by reviewing and downloading the resources and manuals available for easy reference.
Canadian Red Cross First Aid & CPR Manual
.jpg "Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course manual")
The Canadian Red Cross First Aid & CPR manual is a smaller, more portable companion book to the Comprehensive Guide to First Aid.
You will refer to the First Aid & CPR student manual throughout your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course in Kelowna, BC. A significant part of your Standard First Aid training involves familiarizing yourself with the First Aid manual, and learning how to use it as an on the spot guide when you encounter an emergency in your everyday life.
The information in the Canadian Red Cross First Aid and CPR manual follows the guidelines from the most currently recognized International Liaison Committee on Rescuscitation (ILCOR) and Canadian Consensus on Science and Treatment Recommendations (CoSTR) recommendations.
Your Canadian Red Cross certified Standard First Aid instructor will provide you with a classroom copy of the First Aid & CPR manual to utilize in your SFA course. You also have the option to purchase a take-home copy, to keep in your home First Aid kit, vehicle glove box, backpack, purse, tool box or desk. You might even decide to buy a few copies to keep in different locations. You can also download a PDF copy of the First Aid & CPR manual for free, and keep it stored for quick, easy access on your computer, laptop, tablet and smartphone.
First Aid & CPR manual Contents:
- The Fundamental Principles
- Humanity
- Impartiality
- Neutrality
- Indedpendence
- Voluntary Service
- Unity
- Universality
- The Red Cross Symbols
- How We Help
- Disaster Management
- International Operations
- First Aid Programs
- Swimming and Water Safety Program
- Respect Education
- Community Health and Wellness
Chapter 2: Responding to Emergencies
- Preparing to Respond
- First Aid Kit
- Legal Issues
- Chain of Survival Behaviours
- After an Emergency
- Lowering the Risk of Infection
- Equipment Precautions
- Removing Gloves
- Handwashing
- Check
- ABCs
- Call
- Care
- Recovery Position
- Medication
- Secondary Assessment
- SAMPLE Questions
- Vital Signs
- Injury Check
- Shock
- Adult or Child
- By Yourself
- Baby
Chapter 5: Circulation Emergencies
- Heart Attack
- Stroke
- Life Threatening External Bleeding
- Applying a Tourniquet
- Life Threatening Internal Bleeding
- CPR
- Compression-Only CPR
- Adult or Child
- Baby
- When Rescue Breaths Don't Go In
- AED
Chapter 7: Breathing Emergencies
- Asthma
- Using an Inhaler
- Anaphylaxis
- Bandaging Guidelines
- Cuts & Scrapes
- Burns
- Chemical Burns
- Electrical Burns
- Bruises
- Splinters
- Nosebleeds
- Knocked-Out Teeth
- Eye Injuries
- Impaled Objects
- Chest Injuries
Chapter 9: Head, Neck and Spinal Injuries
- Concussion
Chapter 10: Bone, Muscle and Joint Injuries
- Splints & Slings
- Regular Sling
- Tube Sling
Chapter 11: Sudden Medical Emergencies
- Diabetic Emergencies
- Seizures
- Mental Health Crisis
- Suicide
- Childbirth
Chapter 12: Environmental Illnesses
- Heat-Related Illnesses
- Cold-Related Illnesses
- Frostbite
- Hypothermia
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Poison Ivy, Sumac, and Oak
- Giant Hogweed and Wild Parsnip
- Alcohol or Drugs
- Insect Stings
- Animal Bites
- Spiders
- Ticks
- Snakes
- Stings from Marine Life
Appendix: Foundations of First Aid
Canadian Red Cross Comprehensive Guide for First Aid & CPR
.JPG "Canadian Red Cross Comprehensive Guide to First Aid and CPR")
The Canadian Red Cross Comprehensive Guide for First Aid & CPR is an expanded, more detailed companion book to the Canadian Red Cross First Aid & CPR student manual.
You will refer to the Comprehensive Guide for First Aid & CPR throughout your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course. A significant part of your Standard First Aid training involves familiarizing yourself with the First Aid guide, and learning how to use it as an exhaustive reference when you encounter an emergency in your everyday life.
The information in the Canadian Red Cross Comprehensive Guide for First Aid & CPR follows the guidelines from the most currently recognized International Liaison Committee on Rescuscitation (ILCOR) and Canadian Consensus on Science and Treatment Recommendations (CoSTR) recommendations.
Your Canadian Red Cross certified Standard First Aid instructor will provide you with a printed classroom copy of the Comprehensive Guide for First Aid & CPR for reference throughout your SFA course. You can also download a PDF copy of the Comprehensive Guide for First Aid & CPR for free and print it out, or keep it stored for quick access on your computer, laptop, tablet and smartphone.
Comprehensive Guide for First Aid & CPR contents:
- Our History
- The Fundamental Principles
- Humanity
- Impartiality
- Neutrality
- Indedpendence
- Voluntary Service
- Unity
- Universality
- Red Cross Symbols
- Who We Are
- How We Help
- Disaster Management
- International Operations
- First Aid Programs
- Swimming and Water Safety Program
- Respect Education
- Community Health and Wellness
Chapter 2: Responding to Emergencies
- Preparing to Respond
- Preparing for Emergencies at Home
- Recognizing that an Emergency Exists
- Willingness to Act
- Legal Issues Around First Aid
- Good Samaritan Laws
- Workplace First Aiders
- Getting Permission to Help
- Duty to Report Child Abuse or Neglect
- Responding to Disclosures of Violence
- The Emergency Medical Services System
- Chain of Survival Behaviours
- Understanding Your Role as a First Aider
- Understanding Your Role in the EMS System
- Activating EMS
- When to Call EMS/9-1-1
- Poison Control Centres
- Calling EMS/9-1-1 for a Child in Your Care
- After an Emergency
- Lowering the Risk of Infection
- How to Prevent Diseases from Spreading
- Personal Precautions
- Equipment Precautions
- Environmental Precautions
- Check
- Call
- Care
- Secondary Assessment
- Shock
- Providing First Aid for Someone with a Disability
- Partial Choking
- Complete Choking
- Responsive Adult or Child over 12 Months
- If You Are By Yourself and Choking
- Responsive Baby (Less Than 12 Months)
- Unresponsive Choking
Chapter 5: Circulation Emergencies
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Heart Attack
- Angina
- Stroke
- Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
- Life-Threatening Bleeding
- Life-Threatening External Bleeding
- Using a Tourniquet
- Using Hemostatic Dressings
- Cardiac Arrest
- Cardiac Arrest, Adult (After the Onset of Puberty)
- Cardiac Arrest, Child (1 Year to the Onset of Puberty)
- Cardiac Arrest, Baby (Less Than 12 Months)
- Continue CPR Until
- What to Do if the Rescue Breaths Don't Go In
- Compression-Only CPR
- CPR Compression Depth
- Chest Compression Rates
- Chest Recoil
- Decreasing Compression Fraction (Off-Chest Time)
- Special Considerations
- CPR for a Pregnant Woman
- Air in the Stomach
- Vomiting
- Mouth-to-Nose Breathing
- Mouth-to-Stoma Breathing
- Automated External Defibrillation
- Using an AED
- Medical Direction and AEDs
- AED Maintenance
- Working as a Team
Chapter 7: Breathing Emergencies
- Respiratory Distress
- Hyperventilation
- Asthma
- Using an Inhaler
- Using an Inhaler with a Spacer
- Allergic Reactions
- Anaphylaxis
- Bandaging Guidelines
- Triangular Bandages
- Cuts and Scrapes
- Puncture Wounds
- Scalp Injuries
- Infection
- Burns
- Thermal Burns
- Chemical Burns
- Electrical Burns
- Radiation Burns
- Special Considerations When Caring for Burns
- Bruises
- Splinters
- Nosebleeds
- Foreign Objects in the Nose
- Knocked-Out Teeth
- Eye Injuries
- Ear Injuries
- Impaled Objects
- Amputations
- Crush Injuries
- Penetrating Chest Injuries
- Blunt Chest Injuries
- Abdominal Wounds
- Blast Injuries
Chapter 9: Head, Neck and Spinal Injuries
- The Neck and Spine
- The Brain
- Concussion
- Shaken Baby Syndrome
Chapter 10: Bone, Muscle and Joint Injuries
- Splinting Guidelines
- Osteoporosis
Chapter 11: Sudden Medical Emergencies
- Fainting
- Diabetic Emergencies
- Using a Glucagon Kit
- Seizures
- Febrile Seizures
- Mental Health Crisis
- Self-Inflicted Injuries
- Childbirth
- Miscarriage
Chapter 12: Environmental Illnesses
- How Body Temperature is Controlled
- Heat-Related Illnesses
- Heat Cramps
- Heat Exhaustion
- Heat Stroke
- Cold-Related Illnesses
- Frostbite
- Hypothermia
- Freezing of Skin to Metal Objects
- Snow Blindness
- Cold-Water Immersion
- Drowning
- Responsive Drowning Person
- Unresponsive Drowning Person
- Seasickness
- Identifying Hazardous Materials
- Swallowed Poisons
- Inhaled Poisons
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Absorbed Poisons
- Poison Ivy, Sumac, and Oak
- Giant Hogweed and Wild Parsnip
- Injected Poisons
- Poisoning Caused by Alcohol or Drugs
- Drug Overdose
- Opioid Overdose
- Alcohol Poisoning
- Bites and Stings
- Animal Bites
- Rabies
- Insect Stings
- Tick Bites
- Lyme Disease
- Snakebites
- Spider Bites
- Black Widow Spiders
- Brown Recluse Spiders
- Stings from Marine Life
Chapter 14: Childhood Illnesses
- Protecting Children from Infection and Disease
- Questions to Ask Yourself if You Think a Child May Be Ill
- When to Call the Parent of a Child in Your Care
- Common Childhood Conditions: Guidelines for Care
- Comparison Chart for Epiglotitis and Croup
- Childhood Fevers
- Taking a Child's Temperature
- Complications Related to Fever
- Giving Medications
- When to Give Medications
- General Rules for Medication
- Medication in the Eye
- Medication in the Nose
Chapter 15: Caring for Children
- Toy and Equipment Safety
- Equipment for Babies
- Safe Use of Cribs
- Safe Use of Playpens
- Safe Use of High Chairs
- Safe Use of Baby Strollers
- Safe Use of Pacifiers
- Equipment for Children
- Safe Use of Child Bike Trailers
- Safe Use of Safety Gates
- Toys for Children and Babies
- Playground Safety
- Car Safety
- Safe Use of Car Seats
- Passenger Rules for Children: Safety Education
- Safe Use of Wheeled Equipment
- Choosing a Safe Bicycle
- Choosing a Safe Helmet
- Safe Use of Bicycles
- Safe Use of Skateboards and Rollerblades
- Fire Safety
- Reducing the Risk of Fire and Burns
- Fire Escape Plan
- What to Do in the Case of a Fire During the Night
- Ice Safety
- Water Safety
- General Tips for the Prevention of Drowning
- Safe Use of Bathtubs
- Safe Use of Backyard Pools and Hot Tubs
- Safe Swimming
- Safe Boating
- Teaching Children Safety Awareness
- Child and Youth Protection
- Abuse and Violence
- Neglect
- Understanding Bullying and Harassment
- Responding to Disclosures
- Childrens' Hygeine
- Diapering
- Dental Health
Appendix A: First Aid Kit Contents
- Example of an Emergency Supplies Kit
- Example of an Emergency Car Kit
Appendix B: Moving an Ill or Injured Person
- Body Mechanics
- How to Move an Ill or Injured Person
- Stretchers and Lifting Devices
Appendix C: Anatomy and Physiology
- Body Systems
- Interrelationships of Body Systems
- Respiratory System
- Circulatory System
- Nervous System
- Musculoskeletal System
- Muscles
- Skeleton
- Integumentary System
- Digestive System
- Urinary System
- Reproductive System
Canadian Red Cross First Aid App
.jpg "Canadian Red Cross First Aid mobile App for Kelowna SFA courses")
The Canadian Red Cross First Aid App allows you to keep lifesaving procedures and advice literally in the palm of your hands. Turn your Apple or Android smart phone, tablet, or mobile device into an extensive and instantaneous resource for the emergencies you encounter.
The First Aid App helps you maintain and hone your First Aid skills on a day to day basis, and provides you with the extra details that can make a huge difference when seconds count. Although mobile technology is not a substitute for first aid certification training and regular hands-on practice, having the relevant information including diagrams, phone numbers, video clips and flowcharts immediately accessible when faced with an emergency leaves you feeling more confident in your decisions and first aid capabilities.
Free to download, easy to use, essential to have. Download the App to get on the go access to First Aid videos, images, interactive quizzes, and step-by-step First Aid procedures.
Key features of the Canadian Red Cross First Aid App:
- Step-by-Step First Aid Instructions for everyday emergencies.
- Integration with 9-1-1, which allows to call EMS directly from the app.
- Videos, images and animations which visually reinforce your First Aid skills
- Prevention and safety tips for extreme weather and disaster conditions such as hurricanes, earthquakes, flooding, fires, and tornadoes to keep you aware and prepared.
- Pre-loaded content which remains available even when cellular and internet data connections are not accessible.
- Interactive quizzes which allow you to compete with your friends to earn badges and showcase your First Aid skills.
Standard First Aid Downloads & Links
.jpg "Kelowna Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course downloads and online resources")
Your learning and enjoyment in your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course, as well as your confidence and competence in a real emergency, are enhanced by your course materials and the supplemental resources you keep available.
The more first aid resources you familiarize yourself with and keep readily available, the more prepared, confident, safe and successful you are likely to be when you respond to a genuine first aid emergency. You may also find information pertaining to you and your employer's workplace responsibilities with regard to first aid procedures, equipment and patient care if you are acting in an official capacity as the designated First Aid Attendant.
You can access, download and utilize these resources before your course, during your course and most importantly after your SFA course to review and verify the simple First Aid skills you'll learn. Keeping digital resources such as PDF first aid manuals stored directly on your phone/mobile device means you will access to potentially vital first aid information even when you don't have cellular data service.
Kelowna Standard First Aid Course Preparation
You will enjoy your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course in Kelowna, BC much more if you take a few minutes to review some basic expectations and arrived fully prepared to get the most out of your training.
Standard First Aid Certification Requirements
.png "Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course certification requirements in Kelowna, BC")
Our Standard First Aid courses are facilitated in a friendly, learner-centered environment, with the skills and principles presented in a simple and straight forward manner. Your Standard First Aid course Instructor will do everything possible to ensure that you meet national Canadian Red Cross, and provincial WorkSafe BC benchmarks for Standard First Aid certification and recognition.
Key first aid and CPR topics are presented in a distilled and relevant context, which makes them easy to understand and remember. A mix of interactive group activities and self-application make the first aid principles easy to understand and fun to learn.
Most of the course is dedicated to physical skills and hands-on learning which involve clear demonstrations immediately followed by opportunities to apply, practice, repeat and reinforce the first aid and CPR skills with realistic equipment.
In order to receive Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid certification, which is valid for 3 years from date of completion and includes CPR level C, you must meet the following course attendance, performance and participation requirements.
- Completion of all required Online Modules prior to the in-person classroom session.
- Attendance in 100% of the course
(this includes arriving, and returning from all breaks, on time) - Minimum 75% on a multiple choice written knowledge evaluation
(if needed, multiple attempts and reasonable accommodation are permitted) - Adherence to all classroom/facility health and safety guidelines
- Active participation in all activities, skills, and scenarios
- Respectful behaviour towards the Instructor all other participants
- Legible, accurate submission of your First & Last name and your preferred email address
(this is required for Medi-Pro to process your Certification through the Canadian Red Cross)
.jpg "Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid online course modules")
Once you have completed the registration process, accessed your Canadian Red Cross MyRC profile, and successfully activated the online Standard First Aid modules in the "My Online Courses" section, you will be able to move through the individual modules at your own pace. You can start and stop as often as you like, and you can pick up where you left off later.
You can review and re-complete any of the chapters as many times as you like, regardless of whether or not you were successful on the first try. The course will remain accessible to you, through your MyRC profile, at any time. You can review any of the information and learning outcomes whenever you want to brush up on your Standard First Aid knowledge and understanding.
Once you have successfully completed all the modules you can access, download and print your certificate of completion for the online portion (note that this is different from the actual Standard First Aid certificate you will receive after completing the in-person classroom session). Although you can always download the certificate again later, through your MyRC profile, Medi-Pro recommends that you store a pdf copy of your certificate on your hard-drive/cloud storage server for quick reference and proof of completion.
You will access and complete the Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid online course modules through the Canadian Red Cross online learning platform. Shortly after you have registered and paid for a Standard First Aid course, you will recieve a course activation email from the Canadian Red Cross MyRC elearning platform. From there, you can access and complete your online Standard First Aid course modules through your new or existing Canadian Red Cross MyRC Profile.
Step-by-Step Instructions...
- Sign in to your MyRC profile at myrc.redcross.ca
(Click here for instructions on setting up your MyRC Profile for the first time, if you haven't done so already) - Click the "My Profile" tab, then select "My Online Courses"
- Click "Activate" next to the online Standard First Aid course module
- Verify your preferred language
- Click "Enter Course"
Contact the Canadian Red Cross Contact Center for assistance, if you have technical difficulties accessing your MyRC Profile or the Online Standard First Aid Course modules.
- email: myrcsupport@redcross.ca
- tel: 1-877-356-3226
Standard First Aid Online Modules
- Introduction
- Module 1: The Red Cross
- Module 2: Responding to Emergencies
- Module 3: Check, Call, Care
- Module 4: Choking
- Module 5: Circulation Emergencies
- Module 6: CPR & AED
- Module 7: Breathing Emergencies
- Module 8: Wound Care
- Module 9: Head, Neck and Spinal Injuries
- Module 10: Bone, Muscle and Joint Injuries
- Module 11: Sudden Medical Emergencies
- Module 12: Environmental Illnesses
- Module 13: Poisons
Introduction
- Welcome
- Navigation Part I
- Navigation Part II
- Course Outline
Module One: The Red Cross
- The Red Cross
- Our History
- Fundamental Principles
- Red Cross Symbols
- Symbol Misuse
- Red Cross Symbols: Misuse or Correct Use?
- Who We Are
- How We Help
- I Am a Crisis
Module Two: Responding to Emergencies
- Introduction
- Preparing to Respond
- First Aid Kit
- Preparing for Emergencies Part I
- Preparing for Emergencies Part II
- Recognizing that an Emergency Exists
- Signs of an Emergency
- Willingness to Act
- Legal Issues Around First Aid
- Getting Permission: Special Situations
- Getting Permission: Remember!
- Responding to Disclosures of Violence and Abuse
- Chain of Survival Behaviours
- Your Role as First Aider
- The Emergency Medical Services System
- When to Call EMS / 9-1-1
- Responding to an Emergency
- Lowering the Risk of Infection
- After an Emergency
Module Three: Check, Call, Care
- Introduction
- Check, Call, Care
- Check
- Call
- Call First or Care First?
- Call First or Care First: Knowledge Checkpoint
- Care
- Continual Care
- Recovery Position
- Helping with Medication
- Secondary Assessment
- SAMPLE Questions: Knowledge Checkpoint
- Shock
Module Four: Choking
- Introduction
- Choking
- Types of Choking
- Causes and Prevention
- Babies and Children
- Choking Hazards for Children and Babies
- Partial Choking: What to Look For, What to Do
- Backblows, Abdominal Thrusts, and Chest Thrusts
- Care for Choking: Knowledge Checkpoint
- If You Are By Yourself and Choking
- After Care
Module Five: Circulation Emergencies
- Introduction
- The Circulatory System
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease
- Heart Attack
- Heart Attack: What to Look For
- Heart Attack: What to Do
- Angina
- Calling EMS/9-1-1: Two Truths One Lie
- Medications for Heart Attack and Angina
- Medications Matchup
- Stroke
- Stroke: What to Look For Part I
- Stroke: What to Look For Part II
- Stroke: What to Do
- Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
- Life-Threatening Bleeding
- Preventing Life-Threatening External Bleeding: True or False
- Life-Threatening External Bleeding: What to Look For and What to Do
- Life-Threatening External Bleeding: Knowledge Checkpoint
- Tourniquets
- Applying a Tourniquet
- When to Use a Tourniquet
- Life-Threatening Internal Bleeding: What to Look For and What to Do
Module Six: CPR & AED
- Introduction
- CPR
- CPR: What to Do
- Compression-Only CPR
- CPR: Special Considerations
- CPR: Two Truths, One Lie
- Automated External Defibrillator
- Safely Using an AED: Knowledge Checkpoint
- Using an AED on a Child or Baby
- AED Maintenance
Module Seven: Breathing Emergencies
- Introduction
- The Respiratory System
- Respiratory Distress and Respiratory Arrest
- Respiratory Distress: Causes
- Respiratory Distress: What to Look For, What to Do
- Respiratory Distress: Knowledge Checkpoint
- Hyperventilation
- Hyperventilation: What to Look For and What to Do
- Asthma
- Asthma: Prevention
- Asthma Medications
- Asthma: What to Look For and What to Do
- Helping with Asthma Medications: Knowledge Checkpoint
- Allergic Reactions
- Allergic Reactions: Prevention
- Allergic Reactions: What to Look For
- Allergic Reactions: What to Do
- Anaphylaxis
- Anaphylaxis: Common Causes and Prevention
- Anaphylaxis: What to Look For
- Anaphylaxis: What to Do
Module Eight: Wound Care
- Introduction
- About Wounds
- Wounds: Prevention
- Bandaging Guidelines
- Cuts, Scrapes, and Puncture Wounds
- Splinters
- Impaled Objects
- Impaled Objects: What to Look For and What to Do
- Appropriate Care: Knowledge Checkpoint
- Amputations
- Amputations: What to Do
- Burns
- Burns: Prevention
- Burn Prevention: Knowledge Checkpoint
- Burns: What to Do
- Burns - What to Do: Chemical Burns
- Burns - What to Do: Electrical Burns
- Special Considerations When Caring for Burns
- Bruises
- Nosebleeds: Common Causes and PRevention
- Nosebleeds: What to Do
- Foreign Objects in the Nose: What to Look For What to Do
- Knocked Out Teeth: Causes, Prevention, and What to Look For
- Knocked Out Teeth: What to Do
- Eye Injuries: Common Causes and Prevention
- Eye Injuries: What to Look For and What to Do
- Knowledge Checkpoint
- Ear Injuries: Common Causes and Prevention
- Ear Injuries: What to Do
- Infection
- Scalp Inuries: What to Do
- Crush Injuries
- Chest Injuries
- Penetrating Chest Injuries: What to Look For, What to Do
- Blunt Chest Injuries: What to Look For, What to Do
Module Nine: Head, Neck and Spinal Injuries
- Introduction
- Head, Neck, and Spinal Injuries
- The Head and Spine
- Head, Neck, and Spinal Injuries: Common Causes and Prevention
- When to Suspect a Head, Neck, or Spinal Injury
- Causes and Prevention
- Head, Neck, and Spinal Injuries: What to Look For
- Head, Neck, and Spinal Injuries: What to Do
- Moving a Person with a Head, Neck, or Spinal Injury
- Moving an Ill or Injured Person: Knowledge Checkpoint
- Concussion
- Concussion: What to Look For
- Concussion: What to Do
Module Ten: Bone, Muscle and Joint Injuries
- Introduction
- About Bones, Muscles, and Joints
- Types of Bone, Muscle, and Joint Injuries
- Bone, Muscle, and Joint Injuries: Common Causes and Prevention
- Preventing Bone, Muscle, and Joint Injuries: Knowledge Checkpoint
- Bone, Muscle, and Joint Injuries: What to Look For and What to Do
- Care Tips
- Splints and Slings
- Regular Sling for an Arm Injury
- Splints and Slings: Two Truths One Lie
- Tube Sling
Module Eleven: Sudden Medical Emergencies
- Introduction
- Acute Illness and Chronic Conditions
- Fainting
- Fainting: Common Causes
- Fainting: Prevention
- Fainting: What to Do
- Diabetic Emergencies
- Diabetic Emergencies: What to Look For, What to Do
- Key Points on Diabetes: True or False?
- Seizures: Common Causes
- Seizures: What to Look For
- Seizures: What to Do
- Seizures: Two Truths, One Lie
- Mental Health Crisis
- Mental Health Crisis: What to Do
- Mental Health Crisis: Suicide
- Childbirth
- Childbirth: What to Look For
- Childbirth: What to Do
Module Twelve: Environmental Illnesses
- Introduction
- Controlling Body Temperature
- Heating and Cooling the Body
- Heat Related Illnesses
- Heat Related Illnesses: Common Causes
- Heat Related Illnesses: Prevention
- Heat Related Illnesses: Prevention Tips
- Heat Related Illnesses: What to Look For, What to Do
- Salt Tablets: Two Truths One Lie
- Cold-Related Illnesses
- Cold-Related Illnesses: Common Causes
- Prevention of Cold Related Illnesses: True or False?
- Frostbite: What to Look For
- Frostbite: What to Do
- Frostbite: Two Truths, One Lie
- Hypothermia: What to Look For, What to Do
- Freezing of Skin to Metal Objects
- Freezing of Skin to Metal Objects: What to Do
Module Thirteen: Poisons
- Introduction
- About Poisons
- Poisons: Common Causes and Prevention
- Poisoning Prevention: Knowledge Checkpoint
- Poisons: Checking the Scene and the Person
- Poisons: Who to Call
- Poisons: What to Look For and What to Do
- Types of Poisons: Knowledge Checkpoint
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: What to Look For, What to Do
- Poison Ivy, Sumac, and Oak
- Giant Hogweed and Wild Parsnip
- Poisoning Caused by Alcohol or Drugs
- Opioid and Naloxone Overdose
- Care for Poisons: Two Truths, One Lie
- Animal Bites: What to Do
- Insect Stings
- Tick Bites
- Snakebites
- Spider Bites: What to Do
- Calling EMS/9-1-1 for Poisoning: Knowledge Checkpoint
- Stings from Marine Life
Personal Items to bring to your Standard First Aid Course
.jpg "Personal items to bring to your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course in Kelowna, BC")
Bringing a few essential items with you to class can make the entire course more enjoyable. This added level of comfort can also help ensure you learn and retain the First Aid and CPR skills, as well as meeting all the certification requriements as you participate.
Making sure you can see and hear your instructor, classmates and multi-media presentations is important. Although our Instructors will speak clearly and our video/projector screens are large enough to ensure full classroom visibility, you must bring any corrective eyewear or hearing aides (with fresh batteries) that you might need with you in your first aid course.
In some cases you might need reading glasses for your first aid manual and text based activities, or you may need corrective lenses to clearly view the videos, slideshows and instructor-led first aid demonstrations.
If you normally require daily medications, you should definitely bring them with you to class, and adhere to your normal schedule. You might also find that your active participation in the first aid skills and activities throughout the day can increase your metabolic demands and the corresponding medication amounts. Basically, bring extra medications in case your needs increase throughout the day.
It's better to have these with you and not end up needing them, rather than leaving them at home and wishing you had brought them. A few other suggestions include...
- Clean indoor footwear
- Reusable mug
- Refillable water bottle
- Food for meals and snacks through the duration of the course
- Clothing which allows for modesty and comfort during physical activity
- Spare shirt and sweater in case of temperature changes or excessive sweating
- Medications that you might need throughout the day
- Glasses or contact lenses if required for reading
- Pen and notepad
- Kneepads if required
- Lightly scented/unscented deodorant
Standard First Aid course Breaks and Lunch
.jpg "Breaks and lunch during your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course in Kelowna, BC")
Your first aid course will be conducted in an "Adult Learning" format, which means that you will be free to excuse yourself from the classroom at any time, if you need to use the washroom, answer a phone call/text, or attend to any other urgent matter that can't wait until the next scheduled break.
Medi-Pro administration and Instructors recognize that unanticipated circumstances may occur outside the classroom which require your immediate attention, but will ask that you limit these distractions to only those that are essential, and to minimize the disruption to other participants.
If you become thirsty or hungry, you are encouraged to keep yourself nourished and hydrated in the classroom, provided this does not interrupt hands-on activities or interfere with others' safety, participation and learning. There will also be formal breaks scheduled throughout the day, which can be utilized for communications, snacks, lunch and beverages.
- There will be a 15 minute break approximately every 2 hours, depending on classroom progress and participant pacing.
- You must arrive with enough water or other beverages to keep you hydrated throughout each classroom session.
- There will be one 30-minute Lunch break every day.
- Access to local stores and restaurants may be limited.
- You must arrive with enough ready-to-eat snacks and meals to keep you nourished throughout each classroom session.
- Use of electronics is discouraged except during breaks and when the Instructor deems it specifically appropriate.
- Smoking, including the use of vaporization products is limited to designated times and areas.
- Consumption of alcohol or illicit substances in the classroom, facility or grounds is prohibited.
- Impairment, as observed or presumed by the Instructor, will preclude you from participation and certification, regardless of the legality of any substances involved.
Standard First Aid course Hygeine and Attire
.jpg "Hygeine and attire for your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course in Kelowna, BC")
Participating in your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course in Kelowna, BC will involve working in close proximity with your classmates. Respectful physical contact is an unavoidable component of hands-on First Aid training. Out of consideration for your classmates, please arrive with hygeine, and the comfort of others in mind.
Although it is impossible to define the term "appropriate" when it comes to clothing choices, there are few universal considerations. Slogans, logos, or images that could reasonably be categorized as objectively offensive or controversial must not be worn or displayed. Clothing which is soiled to the point that incidental contact may contaminate other clothing, equipment or furnishings are not acceptable in the classroom. Cothing or hygeine products which emit a strong odor may make it difficult for other participants to concentrate or enjoy the lessons and activities.
The health of all participants and staff is of paramount importance, so if you are feeling sick, or suspect that you may be contagious of any viral or bacterial infection, you must not attend the classroom. In cases of last minute cancellations related to unpredicted illness, Medi-Pro will make reasonable efforts to reschedule your course for a later date, when you are no longer sick/contagious.
- Hygeine and beauty products should be unscented or lightly-scented only
- Jewellery or accessories that could cause injury or entaglement may need to be removed
(please do not bring expensive jewellery or irreplaceable heirlooms) - Longer hair needs to be secured in a way that prevents it from getting into others mouths and eyes
- Your clothing should allow you to participate with comfort and modesty
- Slogans or images that might be considered controversial, disrespectful or confrontational should be avoided
- Some types of clothing may restrict your ability to participate or compromise your classmates' comfort.
- Although it is impossible to define every aspect of the term "inappropriate" ahead of time, we ask that you take this into consideration when making your choices
Physical Requirements for Standard First Aid
.jpg "Physical requirements for your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course in Kelowna, BC")
Participating in your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course in Kelowna, BC will involve significant physical activity. If you have medical conditions, physical injuries or limitations that might compromise your ability to safely participate in these physical activities, you must notify your Instructor at the start of your course. Your Canadian Red Cross certified Instructor will make reasonable efforts to adapt and accomodate your limitations, but it is your responsibility to decide whether or not you can safely complete any particular task.
Your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid Instructor will balance the classroom between interactive theory components and hands-on physical activities, and you must actively participate in all the sections to successfully complete your Standard First Aid course. The physical requirements are not objectively intensive or difficult, but they do involve specific and repetitive movements. If you have any significant restrictions on your movement or exertion capacity, you should contact Medi-Pro well in advance of your scheduled course date to ensure that we can accommodate your limitations and provide the greatest opportunities for successful participation.
Physical activities typical of Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid courses include...
- Kneeling on the ground
- Laying face-down on the ground
- Laying face-up on the ground
- Walking up and down stairs
- Rolling and lifting an adult sized classmate
- Performing CPR chest compressions on a CPR mannequin
- Using a pocket mask with a one-way valve to inflate the lungs of a CPR mannequin
- Sitting for 15-30 minutes at at time
- Standing for 15-30 minutes at a time
- Tying simple knots
- Tearing medical tape
Social Interaction in Standard First Aid Courses
Standard First Aid Skills & Principles
Your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course in Kelowna, BC will give you the skills and knowledge you'll need to make safe and effective decisions in a medical emergency, at work, home or play.
Standard First Aid Course Content
.jpg "Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid Skills")
A strong emphasis is placed on developing a safety first attitude will help you anticipate and prevent many common injuries before they even occur. Responding to emergencies at work, home or play following a logical, universal and consistent decision making process is the underlying foundation of your Standard First Aid training.
Rather than being forced to memorize a rigid and outdated list of "rules" you'll practice a simple yet flexible approach to making sound decisions and taking sensible action that gives you confidence in any situation, regardless of the nature and extent of the injuries. You'll learn how to establish and maintain situational awareness while ensuring your own personal safety.
Assessing the patient, identifying and mitigating obvious, life-threatening inuries, followed by immediately alerting local 9-1-1/Emergency Medical Services are the most critical life-saving steps. You will also learn how to recognize and treat many common, medical emergencies and minor injuries, as well completion of WorkSafe BC first aid records. After completing your Standard First Aid course, you'll have the first aid skills and confidence to Be the Difference during a medical emergency in your community.
Introduction to First Aid Principles
.jpeg "Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid Introduction")
Your Standard First Aid course will begin with an introduction to the basic principles of first aid, including how and when to call EMS/9-11, recognizing and overcoming barriers that might otherwise prevent or discourage you from providing help in an emergency, and the differences between providing first aid care as a well intentioned bystander compared the responsibilities of a designated workplace first aid attendant. The legal and ethical connotations of providing first aid as a bystander will become clear and you'll feel more comfortable with your role if the need arises.
You'll become familiar with universal Chain of Survival behaviours and the value of being prepared ahead of time in an emergency. An emphasis on injury prevention at home, work or play will hopefully allow you to adopt small, simple changes to your surroundings after the course which will help prevent the need for first aid care. In addition to learning and practicing how to use basic first aid equipment such as sterile dressings, pressure bandages, triangular bandages and automated external defibrillators, you'll also focus on the value and applications of mobile communication devices such as cellular phones as a powerful tool during a first aid event or any emergency. Introductory skills and principles covered in your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course and materials include...
- About the Red Cross
- The Seven Fundamental Principles
- Humanity
- Impartiality
- Neutrality
- Independence
- Voluntary Service
- Unity
- Universality
- Preparing to Respond
- Barriers to Action
- Preparedness
- Chain of Survival Behaviours
- Being Prepared
- Injury Prevention
- Willingess to Help
- Emergency Medical Response System
- Calling 9-1-1
- Mobile Communications
- Role of the First Aider
- WorkSafe BC Legislation
- First Aid in the Workplace
- Employer First Aid Responsibilities
- Workplace Emergency Response Plans
- Activating Workplace Emergency Response
- Workplace First Aid Attendants
- Bystander vs First Aid Attendant
- WorkSafe BC First Aid Records
- The Good Samaritan Act
.jpg "Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid Assessment Model")
The underlying foundation of your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid training course is the Assessment Model, which is a simple, logical, consistent approach to gathering information about the situation and the patient. Following the Check-Call-Care model, you'll learn and practice how to conduct a thorough assessment of your surroundings before focusing on the injured person, to ensure your own safety and the safety of others.
Checking the sick or injured person themselves during the primary assessment will give you a good idea whether or not there are any immediately life threatening problems and prompt you to take appropriate action if there are. Taking a few seconds to efficiently assess the person in a calm, orderly and logical fashion, rather than getting tunnel vision or using guesswork will help you prioritize the most important steps and interventions required.
The more information you can gather and process, following the Check-Call-Care first aid patient assessment system, the better decisions you'll be able to make regarding your own personal safety and patient care. First Aid patient assessment skills and principles covered in your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course and materials include...
- Check-Call-Care
- Checking the Scene
- Recognizing Hazards
- Your own personal safety
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Use of Gloves
- Use of Protective Eyewear
- Methods of Disease Transmission
- Recognizing immediate life-threatening conditions
- Critical Interventions
- When to move back
- Consent for Care
- Life-over-limb decisions
- Calling 9-1-1
- Using your mobile device
- Patient Assessment Model
- Primary Survey
- Assessing Level of Responsiveness
- Airway Assessment
- Recognizing Airway Obstructions
- Breathing Assessment
- Adequate vs Inadequate Breathing
- Circulation Assessment
- Visual Circulation Checks
- Assessing Skin Condition
- Assessing for Bleeding or Injuries
- Recovery Position
- Mouth and upper airway drainage
- How to roll an unresponsive person
- Recognizing and dealing with Shock
- Utilizing and managing bystanders
- Sending someone to get an AED
- Ongoing assessment and care
.jpeg "How to perform CPR and use an AED")
When someone is unresponsive and they are not breathing, their heart stops beating and they go into cardiac arrest. The three biggest factors that increase the chances of surviving cardiac arrest are early CPR, early AED, and early activation and arrival of EMS/9-1-1 professional medical responders. As a bystander or witness to cardiac arrest, you can take immediate actions, including calling EMS/9-1-1, performing CPR, and utilizing an AED if available, that will have a dramatic impact on the patient's chances of survival.
During your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course, you will learn and practice the vital basics of CPR skills including CPR compressions, Rescue Breathing, and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). You also learn that CPR is not an all or nothing skill, and the illusion of "perfect" CPR does not exist and is not the most compelling factor in cardiac arrest survival. Any CPR that you perform will increase the odds of survival, even if it is not "perfect" or complete.
You'll have the opportunity to practice the key hands-on components of CPR in a practical and reassuring manner, with emphasis on the realities of CPR including broken ribs, agonal respirations, compression-only CPR and the fact that CPR is not a guaranteed success every time. No matter what happens, you'll know you did your best in the circumstances and that you are not personally responsible for the outcome. CPR and AED skills and principles covered in your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course and materials include...
- Cardiopulmonary Rescuscitation (CPR)
- Automated External Defibrillation (AED)
- CPR Compression Depth
- CPR Compression Rate
- Rescue Breathing
- CPR Compression to Ventilation Ratios
- CPR & AED for Adults
- CPR & AED for Children
- CPR & AED for Babies
- Performing CPR by yourself
- Performing CPR with others
- Special Considerations for CPR
- Rescue Breathing during CPR
- Barrier devices and Mouth to Mouth Resuscitation
- Mouth to Stoma Resuscitation
- Compressions-Only CPR
- Hands-Only CPR
- When to stop CPR
- Obvious Signs of Life
- Return of Spontaneous Circulation
- Agonal Respirations
- Air in stomach during CPR
- Patient vomiting during CPR
- Special Circumstances for AED
- Shockable Heart Rhythms
- Ventricular Tachycardia
- Ventricular Fibrillation
- Using an AED on metal surfaces
- Using an AED near wet surfaces
- Using an AED with a Pacemaker
- Using an AED with excessive body hair
- Using an AED with Medical Patches
.jpg "Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid Choking procedures")
Choking is a very common medical emergency experienced by infants, children and even adults. This can be an extremely stressful situation, and the outcome of a choking incident can become fatal, but there are several simple steps you can take to help someone who is choking, and clear their airway so they can resume breathing normally. If someone is still able to make an effort to clear the obstruction themselves, the best approach is to simply encourage them to continue and increase their efforts. If their airway becomes completely blocked and they are no longer able to make a coughing effort, you can apply an alternating combination of backblows, abdominal thrusts and chest thrusts to clear the obstruction.
You'll learn and practice how to watch for the universal signs of choking, some of the counterproductive and potentially dangerous reactions that an adult may experience, and how to immediately intervene when needed. It's important to note that even if the efforts to clear the obstruction are successful, and the person can resume breathing normally, there may still be underlying complications and injuries related to the choking and/or the the steps taken to clear it. Someone who was choking and required backblows, abdominal thrusts or chest thrusts should seek further professional medical attention to ensure they do not have any lingering injuries or complications. Choking and Airway Obstruction skills and principles covered in your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course and materials include...
- Airway Anatomy
- Mild Choking
- Severe Choking
- How to Recognize Choking
- Complete Airway Obstruction
- Abdominal Thrusts
- Back Blows
- Chest Thrusts
- Alternating Techniques
- Severe choking procedures for conscious Adults
- Severe choking procedures for conscious Children
- Severe choking procedures for conscious Babies
- Follow-up care for somone who was choking
- Potential complications from choking
- Aspiration into the lungs
- What to do when someone collapses
- Modifications to choking procedures
- Pregnant Choking
- Choking in a wheelchair or seated position
- Respiratory Arrest
- Sustained Airway Obstruction
- Visual Obstruction Checks
- Removing a visible obstruction
- Adult CPR with an Airway Obstruction
- Child CPR with an Airway Obstruction
- Baby CPR with an Airway Obstruction
First Aid for Breathing Emergencies
.jpg "Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid Breathing Emergencies and Respiratory Distress")
Breathing emergencies and respiratory distress can be caused by physical injuries as well several common medical conditions such as Bronchitis, Asthma, Emphysema, Anaphylaxis, Pnuemonia, COPD, and Anxiety. Regardless of the specific cause behind the breathing emergency, you'll learn some universal steps to mitigate and relieve respiratory distress in your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course.
During your Standard First Aid training, you'll learn that just speaking calmly and reassuringly to someone experience respiratory distress can have a surprisingly significant impact and encourage a positive improvement in their overall physical condition; and you'll practice talking to patients in that reassuring manner. In addition to these universal steps, you'll also learn about the medications which are commonly associated with the underlying medical conditions, and how to safely and effectively assist someone in taking it as a potentially life-saving intervention. Breathing emergency and respiratory distress skills and principles covered in your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course and materials include...
- Signs and Symptoms of Breathing Emergencies
- Respiratory Distress
- Types of Breathing Emergencies
- Respiratory Illnesses
- Bronchitis
- Emphysema
- Pneumonia
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- General care for breathing emergencies
- Assisting with Medication for Breathing Emergencies
- Assistance vs Administration
- Asthma
- Recognizing a severe asthma attack
- Asthma triggers
- Assisting with Inhalers
- Allergic Reaction
- Anaphylaxis
- Anaphylactic Shock
- Hives
- Airway Swelling
- Assisting with an Epi-Pen
- Hyperventilation
- Panic Attacks
- Keeping someone calm
- Encouraging deep breaths
.jpg "Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid for Heart Attack and Angina")
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, Heart Disease is the second most common cause of death for Canadians. When the arteries that feed the heart muscle itself become occluded or blocked with cholesterol, plaque or blood clots the muscles of the heart become starved of oxygen and cannot function properly. This can lead to chronic Chest Pain known as Angina, where the heart muscle is continually starved, and eventually cause a Heart Attack where the heart muscled actually dies from lack of blood and oxygen.
In your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course, you'll learn how to recognize the most common signs and symptoms of a heart attack as well as the atypical/soft signs and symptoms mainly associated with heart attacks in women. In addition to taking the universal approach of treating for shock and keeping the person as calm, rested and comfortable as possible, you'll learn and practice how to assist someone having a suspected heart attack with medications such as Acetylsalycilic Acid (ASA/Aspirin) tablets which are platelet inhibitors and anti-inflammatory, and Nitroglycerin spray which is a blood vessel dilator. Heart Attack and Angina skills and principles covered in your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course and materials include...
- Anatomy of the Heart
- The Coronary Artery
- Heart Attack
- Myocardial Infarction
- Angina
- Classic signs & symptoms of a Heart Attack
- Chest Pain
- Left Arm and Jaw Pain
- Diaphoresis
- Pale, Cool Skin
- Difficulty Breathing
- Soft signs & symptoms of a Heart Attack
- Nausea
- Headache
- Lower Back Pain
- Assisting with Medication for Heart Attacks
- Assistance vs Administration
- Assisting with ASA (Aspirin) tablets
- Assisting with Nitroglycerin Spray
.jpg "Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid for Stroke")
When a blood clot, embolism, plaque or aneurysm prevents adequate blood flow to the brain, a part of the brain tissue can starve or die, causing a stroke. In some cases the blood flow may resume before permanent damage occurs, which is commonly referred to as a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). The longer the blood flow is disrupted the more brain tissue dies and the more dramatic and permanent the damage becomes. As the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body, and the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, the physical effects/deficits created by the stroke are usually seen on the opposite side of the affected brain.
Other than early recognition of the signs and symptoms of a potential Stroke, including sudden headache, one-sided weakness/paralysis, dizziness, confusion and slurred speech, there is very little that you can do to prevent permanent brain damage once a stroke has occured. This is why it's so important to immediately call 9-1-1 as soon as you suspect a Stroke, so that definitive medical care can be obtained and the underlying cause of the Stroke can be managed by emergency medical physicians. The sooner a Stroke patient gets to the hospital, the less brain function they will lose and the greater their chances of survival and recovery. Stroke and TIA skills and principles covered in your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course and materials include...
- Stroke
- Causes of Stroke
- Embolisms
- Aneurysms
- Thrombosis
- Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
- Signs & Symptoms of Stroke
- Cincinnati Stroke Scale
- FAST acronym for recognizing Stroke
- Facial droop
- Arm/one sided weakness
- Speech slurring
- Time is brain / Time to call 9-1-1
- Early recognition and treatment for Stroke
- Psychomotor Deficits
.jpg "Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid for Deadly Bleeding")
Although the exact amount of blood loss that can become fatal varies, deadly bleeding is generally characterized blood soaking through clothing, spurting and bright red, and/or pooling on the ground. Internal bleeding can be just as, if not more dangerous than external bleeding because there is nothing you can immediately do to stop it, and is usually accompanied by significant bruising/discoloration and rigid distension of the abdomen.
In your Standard First Aid course, you will practice controlling deadly bleeding by utilizing a simple form of direct pressure with a bandage and a dressing. A dressing is any absorbant material that is placed directly over the wound, and a bandage is any material used to bind and hold the dressing tightly in place, keeping the bleeding controlled and the wound as clean as possible. The cleaner/more sterile the materials you use for your bandage and dressing, the less likely infection is to set in, however the most important aspect is to control the bleeding.
For the relatively rare cases where direct pressure is impractical or ineffective you will also practice using a commercial or improvised tourniquet, controlling the bleed with indirect pressure. Tourniquets are placed approximately 2 inches above/upstream of the wound and are gradually tightened to crush the nearest artery against the nearest long bone, thus crimping the atery closed and slowing the bleeding. Deadly bleeding skills and principles covered in your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course and materials include...
- Capillary Bleeding
- Venous Bleeding
- Arterial Bleeding
- Minor Bleeding
- Deadly Bleeding
- External Bleeding
- Internal Bleeding
- Signs and Symptoms of Internal Bleeding
- Direct Pressure
- Bandages
- Dressings
- Indirect Pressure
- Amputations
- Tourniquets
- Commercial Tourniquets
- Improvised Tourniquets
.jpg "Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid Secondary Survey")
Your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course includes training on how to perform a thorough patient assessment in two main stages. Initially, you are spending only a few seconds checking the patient for obvious and immediately life-threatening injuries or conditions. Once that is complete and you have dealt with any life-threatening problems found you may start a slower, more methodical and thorough Secondary Survey assessment.
During the secondary assessment, you will review the information you've already gathered and supplement it with an Interview, Vital Signs and Focused Examination or Hands-on Head to Toe Examination. You may discover less urgent injuries for which you can provide comfort and treatment, or you may discover more urgent but less obvious life-threatening problems that you previously missed.
In your Standard First Aid course, you will practice the three components of a Secondary Survey including a patient Interview following the S-A-M-P-L-E question mnemonic, checking the patient's Vital Signs and performing either a Focused Physical Examination or Hands-On Head-to-Toe Assessment. If the patient is responsive and can answer questions reliably, you will most likely utilize a Focused Examination. If the patient is unresponsive or the information they provide cannot be relied upon, you will likely perform a Hands-On Head-to-Toe assessment. Secondary Survey skills and principles covered in your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course and materials include...
- Components of a Secondary Survey
- The purpose of a Secondary Survey
- When to conduct a Secondary Survey
- Patient Interview
- S-A-M-P-L-E Questions
- Signs & Symptoms
- Allergies
- Medications
- Previous Medical History
- Last Intake of food or fluids
- Events leading up to incident
- Checking Vital Signs
- Assessing Level of Responsiveness/Consciousness
- Assessing Breathing
- Assessing Skin condition
- Hands-On Head-to-Toe Injury Check
- Focused Injury Examination
- How to assess Responsive Patients
- How to assess Unresponsive Patients
- Recording your Secondary Survey findings
.jpg "Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid for Minor Wounds")
Different types of physical wounds vary significantly in scope, location and severity. Depending on how large the wound is and what tissues/underlying bodily structures are involved, a wound may present just a minor inconvenience or represent an urgent, life-threatening condition. In many cases, the final outcome will depend on the immediate and long term care the person receives after incurring the wound.
A small cut on the end a finger may intially only pose minor discomfort and inconvenience, but can lead to life-threatening complications if left unattended and becomes infected, causing septic shock. A chunk of broken glass impaled into the shoulder could lead to deadly bleeding if removed prematurely or not properly stabilized while awaiting definitive medical care. If the sucking chest wound accompanying a relatively small puncture in the chest goes unattended, it can lead to a life-threatening respiratory condition known as tension-pneumothorax and/or hemothorax.
Even when the first aid performed for wounds is not immediately critical, you can still make the injured person more comfortable, prevent further aggravation and escalation of the injury and prevent long-term complications. Wound Care skills and principles covered in your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course and materials include...
- Wound Anatatomy
- Basic Wound Care
- Minor Wounds
- First Aid for Cuts & Scrapes
- Stitches
- Preventing Infection
- Signs & Symptoms of Infection
- Nose Bleeds
- Epistaxis
- Knocked-Out Teeth
- Ear Injuries
- Scalp Injuries
- Eye Injury (loose object)
- Impaled Objects
- Crush Injuries
- Crush Syndrome
- Amputations
- Partial Amputations
- Chest Injuries
- Broken Ribs
- Sucking Chest Wounds
- Pneumothorax
- Hemothorax
- Abdominal Injuries
- Pelvic Injuries
- Evisceration
.jpg "Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid for Burns")
Burns are among the most painful type of injury, and are generally classified into 3 categories based on the depth of tissues affected. Superficial/First Degree burns only affect the outer epidermal layer of the skin, and are usually accompanied by painful reddened areas. Partial Thickness/Second Degree burns involve the deeper tissues of the dermis as well as the outer epidermal layers, and are generally identified by pain, blisters, redness and thick peels of skin. Full Thickness/Third Degree burns usually cause blackened, charred skin and tissue which may extend all the way down to the fatty layers, muscles and even bone.
Burns can become immediately life-threatening if they affect the airways and impair breathing, which is particularly common with inhalation injuries from being inside a burning building or breathing in chemical fumes. The most commonly life-threatening aspect of burn injuries is the rapid onset of infection and subsequent septic shock. This occurs because the skin which normally protects internal structures from infection is removed or damaged, and bacteria overwhelmingly penetrates the body's systems.
Some of the most important aspects of providing first aid care for burn injuries that you will learn and practice in your Standard First Aid course include ensuring your own safety (in particular when dealing with chemical or electrical burns), cooling the burn to prevent further tissue damage, and protecting the burned areas from infection with dry and sterile/clean dressings. Wet fabric will wick dirt and bacteria through to the tissues, so a burn is not protected unless the coverings are clean and dry. Burn care skills and principles covered in your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course and materials include...
- Causes of Burns
- Types of Burns
- Burn Severity
- Chemical Burns
- Burns caused by dry chemicals
- Burns caused by wet chemicals
- Burns caused by chemical fumes
- Inhalation Burns
- Electrical Burns
- Entry and exit Burns
- Thermal Burns
- Burns caused by flame/fire
- Burns caused by hot/boiling liquids
- Burns caused by heated metal surfaces
- Burns caused by steam
- Sunburns
- Burn Prevention
- Superficial Burns
- First Degree Burns
- Partial Thickness Burns
- Second Degree Burns
- Full Thickness Burns
- Third Degree Burns
- First Aid for Burns
- Cooling a Burn
- Protecting Burns from Infection
First Aid for Concussion, Head and Spinal Injuries
.jpg "Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid for Concussion and Spinal Injuries")
Although true Spinal Cord injuries are relatively uncommon compared to other injuries statistically, they account for a disproportionately significant number of deaths and permanent disability. Basically, it's rare that the spinal cord actually becomes severed but it's extremely serious when it does happen (usually when the mechanism of injury involves excessive physical force such as a long fall or vehicle accident). If you suspect that, in addition to any other injuries or illnesses you've found during your assessment, somone may have injured their neck or spine it's best to minimize their movement and keep them as still as possible. If you have to move someone in order to protect them or provide crucial care apply the principle of Life-Over-Limb and do not hesitate, but unnecessary movements should be avoided.
By comparison, current medical evidence suggests that Concussion injuries are far more commonplace than previous believed, and the long-term/cumulative effects of Concussions are far reaching and very serious. Each time the brain is rattled/bumped inside the skull, the brain suffers damage which may or may not fully heal during recovery. Each successive Concussion event is more likely to create permanent damage, and cause more significant and permanent effects. If you suspect that someone have have suffered a Concussion injury, you should encourage them to seek definitive medical care as soon as possible, even if the effects do not seem immediately severe or obvious. Concussion, Head and Spinal injury skills and principles covered in your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course and materials include...
- Head Injuries
- Brain Injuries
- Concussion
- Signs & Symptoms of Concussion
- Short-term effects of Concussion
- Long-term effects of Concussion
- Cumulative effects of Concussion
- Spinal Column Injuries
- Vertebral bones
- The Spinal Cord
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- When to suspect Concussion or Brain Injury
- When to suspect Spinal Injuries
- Spinal Mechansims of Injury
- First Aid for suspected Concussion
- First Aid for suspected Spinal Injuries
- Minimizing spinal motion
- Keeping someone still
- Manual stabilization
- Life-Over-Limb
First Aid for Fractures and Sprains
.jpg "Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid training courses for Sprains, Strains and Fractures")
Fractures are injuries which cause any damage to bone structures, which can include cracking, chipping, splintering, complete breaks, and compound fractures where the broken bone ends protrude through the skin. Sprains are injuries to the ligaments which anchor the ends of two bones together, and usually involve stretching and/or tearing. Strains are injuries, which also usually involve stretching and/or tearing, to the tendons which hold muscles to bones. Dislocations are injuries that occur when two bone ends which normally connect are pulled out of alignment, usually involving a shoulder, knee, wrist, finger or toe.
When someone damages a bone or joint, the injury may be limited to just a fracture, sprain, strain or dislocation, but more often the injury is a combination of two or more of those conditions. For example, a fracture to an ankle bone will usually include some damage to the ligaments and tendons, and may even involve more than one bone. Regardless of the specific structures and tissues involved, an injury of this nature will usually present itself with universal signs and symptoms that include pain, tenderness, swelling and discoloration. It is not necessary to diagnose the specific types of inury/injuries to provide good first aid care.
First Aid for fractures, sprains, strains and dislocations involves providing comfortable support for the injury, and preventing further aggravation or long-term complications. Injury stabilization and support is provided in the form of a splint, which can be improvised from many different materials and in many configuations. Ensuring that the patient remains as comfortable as possible, supporting the limb above and below the injury, and ensuring that circulation is not impaired are the main principles of splinting. It's important to note that although these types of injuries are not typically life-threatening, if the broken bones cut through the surrounding blood vessels, severe internal bleeding can occur. Fracture, Sprain, Strain and Dislocation injury skills and principles covered in your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course and materials include...
- Bone, Muscle and Joint Injuries
- Bone Structures
- Ligaments
- Tendons
- Bone Joints
- Fractures
- Sprains
- Strains
- Dislocations
- Compound Fractures
- Signs & Symptoms of fractures
- First Aid for suspected Sprains
- First Aid for suspected Fractures or Dislocations
- Principles of Splinting
- Commercial Splints
- Improvised Splints
- Triangular Bandages
- Arm and Shoulder Slings
- High-Arm Sling
- Low Arm Sling
- SAM Splints
- Leg and Ankle Splints
- Horseshoe Splints
- Jelly Roll Splints
- Pillow Splints
- Blanket Splints
- Anatomical Splints
- Distal Circulation
- Fracture Complications
First Aid for Medical Emergencies
.jpg "Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid for Medical Conditions")
The term "Medical Emergency" covers a wide range of urgent situations related to acute or chronic pre-existing medical conditions that can create discomfort or become life-threatening. Some of the most common medical conditions that you are likely to encounter in a first aid context include Diabetes, Epilepsy, Pregnancy, Severe Allergy, Asthma, COPD, Heart Conditions, Mental Illness, and Pregnancy. During your Standard First Aid course you will learn and practice a universal approach to providing first aid care for someone experiencing a medical emergency, as well as some specific first aid interventions you can apply for some specific underlying medical conditions.
If someone is known or suspected to be diabetic, giving them sugar in any form can be immediately beneficial. If the person is hypoglycemic, giving them sugar will raise their blood sugar levels and improve their condition dramatically. Alternatively, if they are hyperglycemic, giving them sugar will further raise their blood sugar levels but will not cause further immediate harm. The only real caution with regards to giving someone sugar is ensuring that they will not choke.
Many medical conditions can cause seizures, which are typically associated with uncontrolled muscle convulsions which usually last a few minutes. In most cases, the crucial first aid measures you can take for someone experiencing a seizure include padding the area near their head and creating a safe space around them so they don't injure themselves during the muscle convulsions. Although you generally want to avoid physically restraining or holding someone during a seizure, it may be necessary to drag them away from a body of water, stairs or similar hazard to protect them. Once the seizure has concluded, the person may require further first aid care, especially if they are unresponsive or their airway has become compromised. Medical Emergency skills and principles covered in your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course and materials include...
- Type I & Type II Diabetes
- Signs & Symptoms of Diabetic Emergencies
- Medic Alert Bracelets
- Alternative Medic Alerts
- High Blood Sugar
- Low Blood Sugar
- Relationship between Insulin and Blood Sugar
- First Aid for Diabetic Emergencies
- First Aid for Hypoglycaemia
- First Aid for Hyperglycaemia
- Signs & Symptoms of Seizures
- Causes of Seizures
- Epilepsy
- Status Epilepticus
- Phases of a Seizure
- Aural Phase
- Tonic-Clonic Phase
- Post-Ictal Phase
- First Aid for Seizures
- Febrile Seizures (baby with a fever)
- Emergency Child Birth
- Stages of Child Birth
- Child Birth Complications
First Aid for Overdose and Poisoning
.jpg "Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid for Overdose and Poisoning")
The ongoing Opioid Overdose Crisis is one of the most lethal, large scale and persistent Canadian public health crises in the past few decades. With the recent deregulation of Naloxone/NARCAN, many agencies have made emergency Narcan Overdose/Poisoning kits available to the public and especially the most vulnerable populations. Fentanyl misuse comprises the vast majority of Opioid overdose and fatalities, but there are many other opiates and harmful drugs as well. Administering Narcan, in either intramuscular or intranasal form can temporarily alleviate the most life-threatening aspects of Opioid overdose, such as respiratory arrest and unresponsiveness, but it does not completely remove the poison from the person's system. The opioids will remain in the system after the Naloxone has dissipated, so it is vital that someone receives definitive emergency medical care as soon as possible following the overdose and subsequent Narcan dose.
If the person is unresponsive and not breathing, it is more important to call 9-1-1 and start CPR with an AED (if available) than to immediately begin administering NARCAN. The Naloxone may be administered as well, but starting CPR is more critical when someone is not breathing. It's important to note that Naloxone/NARCAN is only effective against Opioids, such as Fentanyl and Heroin, and would have no effect on non-opioids such as depressants (ie Alcohol) or stimulants (ie Cocaine).
It is also unfortunately common for poisonings and overdose to occur from exposure, either accidental or intentional, to many other substances such as household cleaning products and workplace chemicals. The most important step in responding to a potential overdose or poisoning is to keep yourself safe from secondary exposure to the poison(s). If there is any doubt about whether or not it is safe to approach the area, it is better to keep a reasonable distance outside the affected area while waiting for 9-1-1/Emergency Services to arrive with the required specialized training and equipment. Overdose and Poisoning skills and principles covered in your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course and materials include...
- Types of Poisons
- Types of Drugs
- Types of Chemicals
- Household Products
- Workplace Chemicals
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
- Safety Data Sheets
- Poison Control Centers
- Ingested Poisons
- Inhaled Poisons
- Injected Poisons
- Absorbed Poisons
- Drug Misuse
- Drug Abuse
- Intentional and unintentional Overdose
- Alcohol Poisoning
- Opioid Overdose
- Opioid Poisoning
- Fentanyl Crisis
- Naloxone
- Public Access NARCAN (Naloxone) Kits
First Aid for Outdoor Injuries
.jpeg "Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid for Hypothermia and Animal Bites")
The Canadian outdoors have a lot to offer, whether you are simply enjoying a walk in the local park, gardening in your back yard, or trekking up mountain passes to spectacular lakes and glaciers. However, the outdoor environment also poses some hazards if you are unaware or unprepared. Extreme cold and/or heat are two of the most pervasive and persistent factors that can create injury or health hazards, but there a several simple steps you can take to prevent your body core temperature from raising too low or too high. Proper clothing layers, pre-emptive hydration and nutrition, as well as vigilance for early signs of hypothermia or hyperthermia will mitigate most of the dangers and prevent the need for first aid measures.
Some local plant life can create injury and illness as well, ranging from minor itching to severe blistering and infection, and poisoning if ingested. The most reliable way to prevent unwanted exposure to plant toxins is to recognize the dangerous types and avoid them. Long sleeves and full-length pants can help prevent direct skin contact with nettles and barbs, and regular use of sun screen can reduce the effects of UV activated toxins such as those contained in Devil's Club/Hogsweed.
Although relatively rare, some types of local wildlife such as insects, spiders, snakes, scavengers, and large predators can pose a risk of significant injury or even death. The effects of the sting of some insects such as wasps or scorpions can range from mild irritation to anaphylaxis, while poisons from the bite of a brown recluse spider, black widow, or a rattlesnake can become fatal if the envenomation is high enough. Small animals such as racoons may appear cute and harmless, but may also carry infectious disease such as rabies, and large predator animals can create significant physical trauma when provoked or hungry. Environmental injury skills and principles covered in your Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course and materials include...
- Signs & Symptoms of Frostnip
- Signs & Symptoms of Frostbite
- First Aid for Frostbite and Frostnip
- Signs & Symptoms of Mild Hypothermia
- Signs & Symptoms of Moderate Hypothermia
- Signs & Symptoms of Severe Hypothermia
- First Aid for Hypothermia
- Signs & Symptoms of Heat Cramps
- Signs & Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion
- Signs & Symptoms of Heat Stroke
- First Aid for Hyperthermia
- Poisonous Plants
- Hogsweed
- Devil's Club
- Poison Ivy
- Poison Oak
- First Aid for plant exposure
- Animal Bites
- Rabies
- First Aid for Animal Bites
- Snake Bites
- Rattlesnakes
- First Aid for snake bites
- Jellyfish Stings
- Tick Bites
- Lyme Disease
- First Aid for Tick Bites
As a participant in a Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid course, you will need to work with and show respectful behaviour towards all of your classmates. Regardless of any personal, philosophical, religious or political differences, you must support each other's learning throughout the course.
Respect is particularly important when learning, practicing or performing skills that involve physical contact with another participant. Physical contact is an unavoidable component of many core First Aid and CPR skills, so participants must be as respectful and professional as possible during these segments.
Each participant will bring their own unique experiences, backgrounds and perspectives to your Standard First Aid course, which will make the course more interesting and relevant for everyone, provided mutual respect is consistently demonstrated. Language or actions which impinge on every participants' right to a physically and psycologically safe learning learning environment will not be tolerated, and will result in expulsion from the program. You are not expected to agree with every aspect of your classmates' lifestyles and opinions, however you are expected to demonstrate respectful behaviour towards each other at all times.