Are First Aid Trainings Really Necessary?

Have you ever wondered how you would react if someone in your vincinity suffered a severe fall, showed signs of chest pain or had acute respiratory distress? Would you be ready to do the right thing?

So if you wonder if knowing first aid is necessary, the answer is YES.

Training in first aid can make a significant difference during an emergency situation. Knowing how to react in case of a cardiac arrest can improve the victim’s survival and recovery chances by at least 30%1. Unfortunately, only 8% (approximately) of Quebec’s population is trained in first aid.

Basic first aid courses usually teach how to treat cardiopulmonary and respiratory emergencies as well as bleeding, and how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). All our first aid courses also include an introduction to the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) and an epinephrin auto-injector. Some of our courses are specially adapted for professionals in child care services and in the sports and recreation field, and are offered in two different versions (8 hours and 16 hours).

Which course should I choose?

First of all, inquire about the quality of the course’s content; make sure an award is issued if the course is successfully completed.  By registering to one of the Lifesaving Society or one of its affiliate members’ courses, you are guaranteed high-quality content that has been approved by a nationally recognized organization.

  • Is the course content adapted to your needs? There are several types of first aid courses, each with different content and various durations (from 30 minutes to 16 hours).
  • Do you need to follow a first aid course to meet an employer’s requirements? If you work as coach, early childhood educator, etc., make sure your award will be recognized.

But above all, do not kid yourself: no one is immune to accidents. Take a look at our courses’ content, and feel free to call us if you need help finding the course that best suits your needs. We also offer customized courses – contact us for more information!

1 Heart & Stroke Foundation – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): Facts, 2015 (consulted on February 25, 2015).