The Canadian Red Cross CPR/AED Level A course is an in-person CPR certification course designed to teach participants how to recognize and respond to cardiac, breathing and choking emergencies involving adults.

This course provides practical, hands-on training in adult CPR, choking response and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Participants also learn how to recognize signs of a heart attack and stroke, respond to life-threatening bleeding and provide immediate assistance until Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrive.

CPR/AED Level A is suitable for workplaces, organizations and individuals who require adult CPR and AED training or want the skills and confidence to respond during a medical emergency.

Duration

CPR/AED Level A: 4 hours in class

This is an instructor-led, hands-on course that includes CPR practice, AED training, choking response and emergency scenarios.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites to take this course.

Completion Requirements

To successfully complete the course and receive certification, participants must:

• Attend and participate in 100% of the in-person course

• Successfully demonstrate all required CPR, AED and emergency response skills

• Successfully demonstrate required critical steps

• Achieve a minimum grade of 75% on the written knowledge evaluation

Certification

Upon successful completion, participants receive an official Canadian Red Cross CPR/AED Level A certification, valid for 3 years.

The certificate is issued electronically and registered through the Canadian Red Cross certification system following successful completion of the course.

Recertification

Recertification is not available for CPR/AED Level A.

Once the certification expires, participants must complete the full CPR/AED Level A course again to receive a new certification.

Who Is This Course For?

CPR/AED Level A is suitable for individuals who need training focused specifically on adult CPR and cardiovascular emergencies, including:

• Workplace employees

• Office staff

• Business owners and managers

• Construction and industrial workers

• Hospitality and retail employees

• Community organization staff

• Volunteers

• Fitness and recreation staff where CPR A meets requirements

• Students who require CPR Level A

• Family members and caregivers of adults

• Anyone who wants to learn how to respond to an adult cardiac emergency

This course is particularly suitable for individuals who require basic workplace CPR and AED certification and do not require child or baby CPR training.

Participants who need CPR training for adults, children and babies should take CPR/AED Level C instead.

Course Content

Participants will learn and practise:

• The Red Cross

• Responding to emergencies

• Check, Call, Care

• Recovery position

• Adult choking emergencies

• Assisting with medications

• Recognizing angina and heart attack

• Recognizing and responding to stroke

• Adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

• Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use for adults

• Responding to cardiac arrest

• Deadly bleeding

• Emergency response and scene safety

• Any additional content required by applicable legislation

CPR Level A focuses on adults.

Participants learn how to:

• Recognize when an adult requires CPR

• Perform high-quality CPR on an adult

• Respond to an adult who is choking

• Place an unresponsive breathing person in the recovery position

• Recognize signs of heart attack and stroke

• Use an AED during an adult cardiac arrest

• Respond appropriately until Emergency Medical Services arrive

CPR Level A does not include CPR or choking procedures for children and babies. Participants who require adult, child and baby CPR should register for CPR/AED Level C.

Hands-On Training

The in-person course includes practical training and skills demonstrations using CPR manikins and AED training equipment.

Participants practise:

• Adult CPR

• Adult choking response

• Recovery position

• AED pad placement and operation

• Responding to cardiac arrest

• Emergency scenarios

• Life-threatening bleeding response

• Check, Call, Care

• Required CPR and AED skills

Included With Your Course

All participants receive:

• Canadian Red Cross CPR learner materials

• Canadian Red Cross Comprehensive Guide to First Aid & CPR eBook

• 4 hours of instructor-led in-person training

• Hands-on adult CPR training

• Hands-on AED training

• Adult choking emergency training

• Practical emergency scenarios

• Written knowledge evaluation

• Practical skills evaluation

• Official Canadian Red Cross digital certification upon successful completion

• Certificate registration through the Canadian Red Cross certification system

• 3-year CPR/AED Level A certification