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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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