Blended
Most Popular!- Half day in-person versus 1!
- Self-paced, interactive online learning
- Multiple courses offered every week
- More cost-effective
CERTIFICATION COURSE
Basic First Aid (Emergency)
Includes CPR/AED training. This course is WSIB approved, and meets the requirements for CSA Z1210-24 and CSA Z1210-17.
Overview
Basic First Aid (previously known as Emergency First Aid) is the most efficient way to meet your WSIB workplace requirement. This is a 3-year certification course, available in blended or traditional formats. Group training at your facility or ours is also available.
WSIB and CSA approved, it meets Ontario's Regulation 1101 for workplaces with 5 or fewer employees per shift.
Traditional
- 1 day in class
- Limited availability
Why Choose Blended Learning? Learn more about the full blended learning experience, how the online modules work, what to expect on your in-person day, and why this is our most popular format.
→What You'll Learn
An Action First Aid training program is fun, interactive and highly engaging. No matter the format you choose, you will learn the following topics (and more!).
- How to ACT as a First Aider
- Performing CPR
- Using an AED
- Choking
- Heart Attacks
- Stroke
- Bleeding and Tourniquets
- Burns
- Head and Spinal Injuries
- Mental Health
- Medical Conditions including diabetic emergencies, seizures, asthma, and anaphylaxis
- Opioid Poisoning and Naloxone Administration
Certification Levels
Choosing Your CPR Level
Certification Levels
CPR/AED Level A
CPR/AED Level C
Basic Life Support (BLS)
What's Covered
Intended For
Examples
Your Facility or Ours!
Group Training
Certification
Flexible Scheduling
Volume Pricing
Awareness Workshops
Customizable Content
Dedicated Support
What you need to know
Workplace First Aid Requirements
Quick Fact: In Ontario, every workplace must have a designated first aider available during every shift, and the required level of training increases as your workforce grows.
We Make It Fun. We Make It Real.
Why Train with Action First Aid
Innovative First Aid Education
Training You'll Remember
Flexible Blended Learning
Experienced Instructors
WSIB / CSA Recognized Provider
Training Centres in Barrie, Bracebridge & Sudbury
Emergency First Aid
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Basic First Aid the same as Emergency First Aid?
Yes, this is the same course. The course name was updated in Ontario on June 22, 2026 to align with national CSA standards (CSA Z1210-24).
All existing Emergency First Aid certificates remain valid until their original expiry date.
What is Basic First Aid (Emergency) and who is it for?
Basic First Aid (Emergency) is a focused one-day first aid course that meets the WSIB Regulation 1101 requirement for Ontario workplaces with 5 or fewer employees per shift. It covers essential emergency response skills including CPR, AED use, bleeding control and basic medical emergencies.
What is the difference between Basic First Aid (Emergency) and Intermediate First Aid (Standard)?
In Ontario, Basic First Aid (Emergency) is designed for smaller workplaces with 5 or fewer employees per shift and covers core emergency response skills in a single day.
Intermediate First Aid (Standard) is required for workplaces with 6 or more employees per shift (in Ontario) and provides more comprehensive coverage including spinal injuries, bone and joint injuries, Naloxone administration and a wider range of medical conditions.
How long is Basic First Aid (Emergency) certification valid?
Basic First Aid (Emergency) certification is valid for 3 years. After that, you will need to take the full course again to maintain your certification.
Note: Recertification is not available at the BFA level
Can I recertify in Basic First Aid (Emergency) if I was trained elsewhere?
No, there is no recert option available for this course in Ontario.
Does Basic First Aid (Emergency) meet Ontario Daycare CPR requirements?
Yes, provided you select CPR Level C when registering. CPR Level C is mandatory for Ontario-licensed childcare settings.
Training
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get access to the online course?
Once you complete your booking, you will receive access via email to begin your online course within 24 hours (Monday - Friday), if booked over the weekend please expect up to 48 hours.
If you do not see your online access, please check your junk/spam folder or contact our support team.
Do I need to complete the online component before attending the in-person session?
Yes, you must complete the online component before attending the in-person session. Instructors verify completion prior to class. Please contact us if you are unable to complete before your training date. See our policies on rescheduling and cancellation.
How will I receive my certificate?
Once you've successfully completed your in-person session, your certificate will be issued to you by email (please ensure your email is accurate when completing your booking). You can contact Action First Aid at any time to request your certificate (wallet card and wall certificate).
What is the difference between CPR Level A and CPR Level C?
CPR Level A covers adult CPR and AED use only. CPR Level C covers CPR and AED for adults, children and infants. Level C is our most popular option because it is accepted everywhere Level A is required and is mandatory for childcare, education and most community-facing roles.
Basic Life Support focuses on high performance team based CPR and AED for adults, children and infants. Most suitable in healthcare settings requiring advanced resuscitation skills and is ideal for nursing, paramedics, fire fighters and health care provider roles.
For a full breakdown, see our comparison table.
Can I choose CPR Level A only?
Yes, by default our courses at our training centers include CPR/AED Level C which includes Adult (Level A) CPR/AED.
If you require your certificate to state CPR/AED Level A specifically please just let your Instructor know and we can adjust your certificate accordingly.
Do you offer training outside of Ontario?
Yes. We offer group training across Canada. Please refer to our Group Booking page for more information or contact us today!
For additional information on provincial regulations, please visit our regulation page.
How long is my certificate valid for?
Intermediate First Aid, Basic First Aid and CPR/AED certificates are valid for 3 years from the date of issue. CPR BLS certificates are valid for 1 year.
Annual retraining is recommended for CPR/AED certificates. Intermediate First Aid certificate holders are eligible to complete a 1 day recertification course before their certificate expires.
Where do we offer training?
We offer group training across Ontario and in 8 out of 13 provinces and territories in Canada.
We offer regular public first aid and CPR training at our dedicated training centres across Ontario, including: Barrie, Bracebridge, Sudbury and Ottawa.
View our upcoming course dates and book your course directly through our online booking calendar.
Check back for new training centre locations coming soon!
Do you offer in house training for businesses and organizations?
Yes! We offer a dedicated Instructor "Train-the-Trainer" Program designed for businesses, school boards, health organizations, and enterprise teams that want to deliver certified, compliant first aid training in-house.
Through this program, qualified members of your staff (such as occupational health nurses, safety officers, or athletic trainers) become certified First Aid Instructors under Action First Aid. This gives your organization the flexibility to run on-demand training internally at a significantly reduced per-participant cost while maintaining full regulatory compliance.
Do you offer on-site group training?
Yes! We specialize in bringing hands-on first aid training directly to your workplace, facility or job site across Ontario and other provinces.
On-site group training allows your team to train together on your schedule while saving on travel costs. Learn more on our Group Booking page.
How do I become a training affiliate of Action First Aid.
Action First Aid partners with organizations, instructors, and safety training companies to expand training delivery through our network, resources, and compliance network. Visit our Affiliate Opportunities Page for more information.
What happens if my certificate is already expired? Is there a grace period?
There is no grace period once a certificate passes its expiration date. Once expired, you are no longer considered certified and must take the full course to regain valid certification.
If you hold an expired Intermediate First Aid certificate, this means you can no longer take the 1-day recertification stream and must register for the full course.
What should I wear or bring to my in-person practical session?
To ensure a comfortable and smooth practical training session, please plan for the following:
Clothing: Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and flat, closed-toe shoes. You will be practicing hands-on skills such as CPR, chest compressions, and casualty positioning on the floor.
Identification: Bring a valid piece of government-issued photo ID.
Proof of Prerequisite (Recertifications Only): If you are attending a 1-day Recertification course, you must bring a physical or digital copy of your unexpired First Aid certificate to show your instructor.
Online Completion Record: Proof that you completed your online modules (for blended learning courses).
Is blended first aid training (online + in-person) accepted by Ontario employers and inspectors?
Yes. Our Blended Learning program, a combination of self-paced online theory with an in-person practical skills session - is fully recognized and approved. As long as the practical component is completed in person with a certified instructor, blended courses carry the exact same regulatory weight, recognition, and 3-year validity as a traditional, fully face-to-face classroom course.