Master Guide to Intermediate First Aid

If you are looking to complete workplace safety training in Canada, you have likely noticed a recent change in course titles. The certification traditionally known as Standard First Aid has been renamed to Intermediate First Aid.

This comprehensive guide answers the most frequently asked questions about Canadian Red Cross Intermediate First Aid. Whether you are a business owner seeking to meet WorkSafeBC compliance guidelines, a worker boosting your resume, or an individual wanting to protect your family, here is what you need to know.

The Essentials: What Has Changed?

Why was the name changed from Standard First Aid to Intermediate First Aid?
The name change is part of a nationwide modernization effort to align Canadian first aid programs with updated national standards. The Canadian Standards Association (CSA Standard Z1210-17) establishes clear tiers for workplace first aid training.

To make it easier for employers and workers across different provinces to understand exactly what level of training a person has, the Canadian Red Cross and other major providers transitioned to standardized terminology to align with CSA standards:

Emergency First Aid is now Basic First Aid.

Standard First Aid is now Intermediate First Aid.

The changes are strictly focused on naming conventions, so if you hold a valid “Standard First Aid” certificate, it is still fully recognized until its listed expiry date.

Does Intermediate First Aid meet WorkSafeBC requirements?

Yes. WorkSafeBC officially recognizes the Canadian Red Cross Intermediate First Aid certification as meeting the requirements for workplace first aid attendants.

Specifically, WorkSafeBC recognizes Intermediate First Aid as the equivalent of the former Occupational First Aid Level 2 (OFA 2) curriculum. It provides the comprehensive training required for industries operating in higher-risk environments or larger workplaces where a basic first aid attendant is insufficient under provincial occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations.

Intermediate First Aid Course Structure & Formats

How long does the Intermediate First Aid course take?
The course requires approximately 14 to 16 hours of training, depending on the specific CPR level included and the delivery method chosen. Intermediate First Aid can be delivered in a blended format (the most popular method) or over two days in person.

What is the “Blended Learning” format?

At Safe + Sound First Aid Training, we understand that spending two consecutive full days in a classroom can be difficult to schedule. The Blended Learning format divides the course into two equal parts:

Online Component (Theory): You complete roughly 7 to 8 hours of self-paced online modules on your computer, tablet, or smartphone. This must be completed before your practical day. Once the online component is complete, you attend a full-day session in the classroom learning the practical first aid skills.

Delivery Format	Online Time	In-Class Time	Total Commitment
Traditional In-Class	0 Hours	14–16 Hours (2 Days)	2 Classroom Days
Blended Learning	7–8 Hours (Self-Paced)	7.5–8 Hours (1 Day)	1 Classroom Day

What is the difference between CPR Level A and CPR Level C?

Intermediate First Aid can include CPR A or CPR C:

CPR Level A: Focuses exclusively on adult resuscitation and choking maneuvers. This is typically chosen by individuals working in industrial workplaces, offices, or factories where children are rarely present.
CPR Level C: Focuses on adult, child, and infant resuscitation. This is the most popular option and is mandatory for teachers, early childhood educators, lifeguards, and coaches. CPR C also makes sense for anyone with a young family or who has contact with members of the public.

At Safe + Sound, we offer Intermediate First Aid with CPR C. That way, whatever your CPR requirement, you are covered. Even if you work only with adults, you have contact with family, friends and the public of all ages, so it’s good to learn the skills to help people of all ages.

Both CPR A and C levels include comprehensive training on using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

Curriculum: What You Will Learn in an Intermediate First Aid Class

What specific topics are covered in Intermediate First Aid?
Intermediate First Aid provides the skills to stabilize a casualty experiencing a wide array of life-threatening and non-life-threatening emergencies.

Course topics include:

• Preparing to respond
• The EMS system
• Check, Call, Care
• Airway emergencies
• Breathing and Circulation emergencies
• First aid for respiratory and cardiac arrest
• Wound care
• Head and spine injuries
• Bone, muscle and joint injuries
• Sudden Medical Emergencies
• Environmental Emergencies
• Opioid poisoning awareness information

This course also includes any other content required by the Provincial or Federal Authority Having Jurisdiction over workplace first aid training.

Intermediate First Aid Certification & Renewal

How long does an Intermediate First Aid certification last?
Upon successful completion of the course, usually within about 48 hours of the course, you will receive a digital Canadian Red Cross Intermediate First Aid certificate. This certification is valid for 3 years from the date of issue and is recognized nationally across Canada.

Can I take a recertification course, or do I have to take the full Intermediate First Aid course again?

If your current certificate is still valid, you are eligible to take a lower-cost Recertification Course. Safe + Sound offers the full course at a lower, renewal rate.

Important Note: You must take a recertification course before your current certificate expires. If your certificate has already expired—even by a single day—provincial regulations require you to retake the full course to regain compliance.

What are the testing and passing requirements for Intermediate First Aid?

To earn your certification, you must:

• Attend and participate in 100% of the class hours.
• Correctly demonstrate critical practical skills during scenario-based assessments.
• Achieve a minimum score of 75% on the closed-book, multiple-choice written knowledge evaluation.

Information for Employers

How do I determine if my business needs Intermediate First Aid attendants?
Under WorkSafeBC Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (Part 3), the level of first aid training required for your business depends on three primary metrics:

1. The Risk Level of your Industry: Classified as either “Low” (e.g., retail, professional offices) or “High” (e.g., construction, manufacturing, forestry).
2. The Number of Workers: Total staff count present on a single shift.
3. Surface Travel Time to a Hospital: Whether your workspace is located less than or greater than 20 minutes from an emergency medical facility.Low-risk urban offices with small teams may only require Basic First Aid. However, by law, larger teams, remote work sites, or high-risk industrial environments must have at least one attendant certified in Intermediate First Aid on duty at all times.

Can You Host a First Aid training Class at Your Facility?

Yes. For companies seeking to certify groups of employees, on-site training is highly efficient. Safe + Sound First Aid Training regularly dispatches certified instructors to corporate locations throughout Coquitlam and the Metro Vancouver region. We can customize courses around your specific industry hazards, ensuring your team trains using the exact safety infrastructure they rely on every day.

Why Choose Safe + Sound First Aid Training?

Safe + Sound First Aid Training has been teaching lifesaving techniques since 1999. As a trusted Canadian Red Cross Training Partner, our courses prioritize confidence, retention, and hands-on practice. Our dedicated classroom in Coquitlam, BC, features modern training equipment, free on-site parking, and convenient access to local public transit routes. We focus on removing the stress from emergency education, replacing lecture-heavy instruction with collaborative, reality-based scenarios.

Ready to Get Certified?

Do not wait for an emergency. Empower your team with the skills they need to cope with an emergency. Whether you need an individual certification or want to get your entire business compliant, we provide options designed to fit your operational workflow.

Public Courses: Check our Intermediate First Aid course schedule and book an individual seat at our comfortable Coquitlam training centre.

Private Group Sessions: Arrange a dedicated Intermediate First Aid class exclusively for your team. We can host your group at our Coquitlam classroom or bring our instructors and gear directly to your workplace. Please request a quote.

Contact Safe + Sound First Aid Training Today

Tel: 604-945-7277 | info@learnfirstaid.ca | www.learnfirstaid.ca