You need to renew your first aid or CPR certificate, but there are no courses available due to COVID-19. Now what?
We understand that you may need a first aid/CPR certification to apply for a job or course or to continue to work in your current place of employment. COVID-19 has put a stop to most classroom-based training. The situation is evolving and changing every day, and we have no way of knowing when it will be safe to resume group training courses. As soon as we get the all-clear from the government and the Canadian Red Cross, we will start running classes again. Meanwhile, here are some things that might help you:
First Aid and CPR Certification Extensions
- All Red Cross first aid certifications (which would have expired March through June 30th, 2020) will be considered valid 90-days beyond their expiry date. These certifications will also be accepted for recertification courses when in-person training resumes.
- WorkSafeBC has stated that all OFA certificates and equivalents expiring between March 1st, 2020 – June 30th, 2020, will be accepted in the workplace for 90 days beyond their original expiry date.
Online First Aid and Safety Training
Safe + Sound offers online first aid training, for example, First Aid Basics Online. Please be aware that certifications from online first aid training courses are often not accepted by employers. Online first aid courses are designed as an introduction to first aid or a refresher for someone who has previously taken first aid training. You can view our full online course library here.
Free Online Safety Course
Try our system for free: Safety Knowledge Evaluation Free course
Free First Aid App
4. The Canadian Red Cross has a free first aid app that covers most of the skills included in a regular first aid course.
For programs that include practical skills, online classes and apps are no substitute. Online courses give you the knowledge you need, but not the hands-on practice. In the current situation, however, online training is certainly better than no training.
We hope this information is helpful to you. If you need to renew your first aid or CPR certificate and you would like us to contact you when in-class, Red Cross first aid/CPR courses resume, please submit your information via our contact form or by emailing the following information:
- Name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Name of the course/certification you need
If you have any questions, please contact us.
Gill McCulloch
info@learnfirstaid.ca
604-945-7277