What CPR Level Do I Need to Take? 

We've all been there. We get told that we need to be "first aid or CPR certified" in order to be eligible for the job we're about to be hired for then sent out there to look for the first course that is running. We come across Lifeguarding Academy's website and we see all the different first aid and CPR levels... And the question pops up, "What CPR level do I need to take"? We get the struggle. That's why we put together a little blog of each level's description, contents & the common occupations that require the respective certification!

Now you have to keep in mind that while this data is gathered through surveying the students that come to the academy to be certified, the only way to be 100% sure which CPR level is right for you is to ask the employer that is requiring you to be certified.

If you're still not sure what CPR level you need to take by the end of this blog, we suggest going with the Standard First Aid & CPR-C course as its the most complete and commonly required for all jobs out there. Oh also, if you find the right course for yourself, just click on the title and you will be taken to see all the dates that the academy offers it!

Standard First Aid & CPR-C

This course is the most complete level of First Aid & is always coupled with CPR level C. Standard First Aid (SFA for short) includes training on how to do CPR & choking techniques on adults, children, and infants as well as how to utilize the Automatic External Defibrillator (AED). 
Additionally, in the SFA course, candidates learn how to deal with life-threatening circulatory and respiratory emergencies, burns, facial injuries, internal and external major bleeds, environmental emergencies, bone and joint injuries, seizures, diabetes, ribs and chest cavity related injuries, spinal and head injuries, poisoning, and critical incident stress.

  • Lifeguard

  • Summer Camp Counsellor

  • Child and Youth Worker

  • Coach

  • Personal Trainer

  • Day Care Staff

  • Police

  • Ambulance Driver

  • Gym Teacher

  • Nursing Students

  • Mental Health Worker

  • Pharmacy Technician

  • Laboratory Technician

  • Physical Therapist

  • Dental Hygienist

  • Surgical Technologist

  • Veterinary Doctor

  • Medical Equipment Preparer

  • Psychiatrist

  • Fire Fighter

  • Baby Sitter/Nanny

  • Pharmacist

  • Registered Massage Therapist

  • Developmental Service Worker

  • High School Teacher

  • Elementary School Teacher

  • Factory Worker

  • Kinesiology Students

  • Social Services

  • Medical Assistant

  • Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

  • Dental Assistant

  • Athletic Therapist

  • Occupational Therapy Aide

  • Phlebotomist

  • Dietician

  • MRI Technologist

Emergency First Aid & CPR-B

Emergency First Aid is the less intensive level of first aid. This course is only 6-8 hours long and usually comes hand in hand with CPR level B. In this level, candidates learn how to perform CPR on adults and children as well as how to rescue adults and children when they are choking. In addition to CPR and choking techniques, candidates learn how to treat circulatory & respiratory emergencies as well as burns and facial injuries.
Surprisingly enough, occupations that do not seem to require first aid, do in fact need to be trained in the emergency level. A few examples of these occupations are listed below:

  • Security Guard

  • Recreational Facility Staff

  • Taxi Driver

  • Chef

  • Waiter/Waitress

  • Orderly

  • Scout Groups

  • Medical Lab Technicians

  • BarTender

  • Community Center Staff

  • Psychiatric Aide

  • Laboratory Animal Care Taker

Health Care Provider CPR

The term HCP itself stands for Health Care Professional and thus all our health care professionals are required to hold a current HCP certification. While this level of CPR is wildly similar to CPR-C, there are a number of advanced techniques such as a modified jaw thrust for spinal injured victims and the two-thumb CPR for infants. Additionally, candidates get trained on how to properly use the Bag Valve Mask device (BVM) instead of manual mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing techniques.

  • Practical Nurse

  • Registered Nurse

  • Dentist

  • Chiropractor

  • Physiotherapist

  • Nurse Practitioner

  • Pediatrician

  • Anesthesiologist

  • General Physician

  • Naturopathic Doctor

  • Surgeon

  • Paramedic

  • Optician

  • Nurse Anesthetist

  • Optometrist

  • Obstetrician

CPR A, B, C

Almost no occupations require only CPR A, B, or C. However some regulatory licensing bodies or schools require their licensees & students to renew their CPR every year as part of their licensing requirements. Please contact your respective regulatory body to inquire about which level of CPR you need to be certified in.

Footnote:

Circulatory Emergencies Include:
Shock, Heart Attack & Angina, Stroke, and transient strokes, as well as internal and external major bleedings.

Respiratory Emergencies Include:
Asthma & Hyperventilation.

Facial Injuries Include:
Eye, ear, nose, and mouth injuries.