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First Aid and CPR Instructor Training

A person in a Red Cross Instructor shirt is in a classroom, talking to a group of learners.

Photo: Canadian Red Cross

You will learn the necessary skills to teach Standard First Aid, CPR A and C, and Emergency First Aid courses effectively. The course includes practical training to help you gain hands-on experience and confidence in delivering top-notch training.

Find a course near you

The first aid instructor course will prepare you for dynamic, learner centred classroom environments. This first aid instructor training will teach you the skills to customize learning for your learners’ different needs. Whether your learners are from different provinces or territories, industry, and personal preferences.

Become a first aid trainer by completing the skills evaluation and the Fundamentals of Instruction. After that, you will take the First Aid and CPR Instructor (FAI, CPRI) Discipline Specific course as the third step. Finally, you can take the teaching experience to help you reach the final step of First Aid and CPR Instructor certification.
 

Duration

Fundamentals of Instruction

Complete the Fundamentals of Instruction online component (8 hrs*), and a classroom component (14 hrs 30 min) focused on the application of fundamentals.

Discipline-Specific Classroom Component

Attend the First Aid & CPR discipline-specific classroom component (14 hrs 30 min), which focuses on teaching the specific skills of that program.

Teaching Experience

Complete the Teaching Experience online module (30-45 min*) and a classroom component with the support of a Teaching Experience Supervisor.
 

Skills Evaluation

You must complete a Skills Evaluation to demonstrate your ability to perform the skills required in the program you wish to teach. This evaluation is conducted in person by either a certified Instructor Trainer or Teaching Experience Supervisor certified in that Discipline and focuses on assessing technique, accuracy, safety, and confidence in skill delivery. The goal is to ensure all instructor candidates meet the minimum performance standards before progressing to the next step in the pathway.
 

Prerequisites

  • Complete the Fundamentals of Instruction online component.
  • Complete the Fundamentals of Instruction classroom component.
  • Hold a current certificate for the course you want to teach. Example: To teach First Aid, you must already be certified in Standard First Aid with CPR C.

Completion Criteria

  • Candidates have six months to progress from completing Fundamentals of Instruction to begin Discipline-Specific Classroom Component.
  • Successfully complete the in-class microteaching and teaching experience segments.
  • Adhere to the Canadian Red Cross Standards of Behaviour and the Group Charter.
  • Attend and participate in 100% of the course—this includes active, directed contributions at all scheduled sessions.

Course Content

  • Specific skills required to effectively teach Standard First Aid, CPR A and C, and Emergency First Aid courses
  • Understanding the learner
  • My teaching toolkit
  • Bringing the course to life: instructional techniques, assessment and evaluation, post-course
  • Lesson planning and practice teaching
  • Teaching Experience

Certification

First Aid and CPR Instructor certificate is available for download upon successful completion of training. Certified Instructors can teach Emergency First Aid, Standard First Aid, Marine Basic First Aid, Emergency Child Care First Aid, Standard Child Care First Aid and CPR courses.

* Online learning time will vary depending on the learner.

For more information contact a Red Cross Instructor Development Centre: redcross.ca/idc