Course description

Introduction

The ability to act effectively in an emergency is an essential skill for every citizen. The « First Aider – General Public (8h) » training is a comprehensive initiative designed to equip individuals with general first aid skills, whether in a professional setting or in everyday life.

Aimed at a broad audience, this training is particularly suited to those who are often in the presence of at-risk groups: children, older adults, or people with severe allergies. It addresses precise emergency management techniques, including the treatment of anaphylactic reactions.

Certification upon completion of the training

At the end of the training, each participant will be certified in « Advanced First Responder ». This certification, recognized and valid for 3 ans, demonstrates mastery of the essential skills in general first aid.

Course objective

The training aims primarily to equip participants with the skills needed to significantly reduce the rates of mortality and morbidity resulting from emergency situations. The main objectives are:

  • Master interventions for cardiopulmonary arrest and airway obstruction: identify and effectively respond to cardiovascular emergencies in adults, children, and infants — CPR and AED.
  • Acquire emergency first aid skills according to the most recent standards: hemorrhage, fractures, states of shock, and more.
  • Prevent risks and infections: prevention of environmental risks and infection prevention.
  • Manage severe allergic reactions: recognition and rapid response to anaphylactic reactions, including the administration of epinephrine via auto-injector.

Teaching approach

The training is designed to immerse participants in dynamic, interactive learning. The key components:

  • Active and inductive learning: each session begins with a scenario exercise placing participants at the heart of an emergency.
  • Integration of theory and practice: alternating between theoretical readings and simulations of emergency medical scenarios.
  • Advanced teaching technologies and resources: interactive modules, demonstration videos, and practical sessions.
  • Continuous assessment and access to an instructor: regular quizzes and constructive discussions available at all times.
  • Instruction by experts: instructors are all experienced health professionals.
  • At-home practice: exercises to be done at home with theoretical support materials for ongoing review.

Learning activities

Supplementary readings: no preparatory reading is mandatory. ONCPR bibliographies and guidelines are available on the platform to deepen understanding of key concepts.

Interactive presentations: interactive modules incorporating multimedia elements and quizzes to test and reinforce understanding on an ongoing basis.

Practical exercises: scenario-based exercises and simulations of emergency scenarios, complemented by a free mobile app guiding participants through various practice scenarios.

Support

For any questions, our team is available by email at [email protected] as well as via integrated chat on our platform (24/7 virtual assistant). All requests are handled within 48 business hours. Online educational resources, training guides, and continuous access to course updates are also made available.

Offered 100% online. Also available in hybrid or in-person format upon request.

Course content

2.1 Training content

  • CPR/AED – General public
  • Introduction to CPR
  • Approach and primary survey
  • Life-threatening emergencies
  • Chest compressions
  • Ventilations
  • Defibrillation
  • Special cases
  • Downloading a mobile app
  • Demonstration – Single-rescuer adult CPR sequence
  • Practice – Single-rescuer adult CPR sequence
  • Demonstration – Single-rescuer child CPR sequence
  • Practice – Single-rescuer child CPR sequence
  • Demonstration – Single-rescuer infant CPR sequence
  • Practice – Single-rescuer infant CPR sequence
  • Airway obstruction
  • Airway clearance in the Adult, Child, and Others
  • Airway clearance in the Infant
  • First aid – Anaphylaxis
  • Anaphylactic-type allergic reactions
  • Demonstration – Intervention sequence for a person suffering an anaphylactic reaction
  • Medical first aid
  • Approach and primary survey – MEDICAL
  • Epilepsy and seizures
  • Respiratory difficulties
  • Nosebleed
  • Heat stroke
  • Diabetic problems
  • Hypothermia
  • Food poisoning
  • Traumatic first aid
  • Foreword on traumatic first aid
  • Approach and primary survey – TRAUMATIC
  • Eye injuries
  • Burns
  • Hemorrhage
  • Practice – Traumatic first aid part 1
  • Extremity injuries
  • Head and spinal injuries
  • Practice – Traumatic first aid part 2
  • Conclusion

2.2 Training objectives

CPR/AED — Introduction to CPR

  • Know the content and objectives of the training as well as the challenges related to resuscitating a victim in cardiac arrest and airway clearance
  • Awareness of the importance of CPR maneuvers, the new guidelines, the causes of cardiac arrest, angina, and stroke
  • Quickly recognize the type of victim in order to provide the best possible care
  • Understand the essential role of the rescuer during emergencies involving a victim in cardiac arrest or airway obstruction
  • Know the most recent national guidelines on CPR and emergency cardiac care

Approach and primary survey

  • Learn to recognize hazards and respond effectively
  • Reduce stress in the event of a potential intervention
  • Learn techniques for checking level of consciousness and assisting with medication
  • Confirm the presence or absence of effective breathing in a victim
  • Learn techniques for rolling an unconscious victim with signs of life
  • Be able to recognize a victim in cardiopulmonary arrest
  • Apply the correct intervention techniques based on the rescuer's primary assessment

Life-threatening emergencies

  • Recognize, interpret, and respond to the signs of an angina attack or chest pain
  • Recognize, interpret, and respond to the signs of a stroke
  • Recognize, interpret, and respond to the signs of an opioid overdose (including the use of naloxone if available)

Chest compressions

  • Learn the proper chest compression techniques for adults, children, and infants
  • Raise awareness of the risks and precautions related to compressions in certain victims
  • Raise awareness of the importance of chest compression quality
  • Perform high-quality chest compressions on any population according to the latest national standards

Ventilations

  • Learn the proper ventilation techniques for adults, children, and infants
  • Learn to properly perform mouth-to-mouth ventilation
  • Know and become familiar with the various ventilation devices available
  • Perform ventilations on any victim using mouth-to-mouth, a pocket mask, or a face shield

Defibrillation

  • Learn to recognize when to use an AED and learn how to use it
  • Recognize the risks associated with AED use
  • Learn the specific considerations for using an AED on an infant
  • Use an AED safely and effectively during a cardiopulmonary emergency

Special cases

  • Raise awareness of the various possible approaches to care and reduce stress in the event of an intervention
  • Provide care to a person suffering a life-threatening traumatic emergency
  • Know the reasons why ventilations may be optional in the event of cardiac arrest
  • Know the minimum legal responsibilities of the first responder
  • Ensure that a rescuer never puts their health or safety at risk while providing assistance

Downloading a mobile app

  • Discover a tool that can assist a rescuer in a real emergency situation
  • Use the app during practice sessions in training
  • Reinforce learning through an interactive audio-visual tool

Demonstrations and practice — single-rescuer adult, child, infant CPR

  • Learn the proper CPR techniques for adults, children, and infants with AED
  • Know the sequence and proper techniques for cardiopulmonary resuscitation for each age group according to the latest national guidelines
  • Master a complete single-rescuer intervention for a victim in cardiopulmonary arrest

Airway clearance

  • Learn the guidelines and proper airway clearance techniques for a conscious or unconscious adult and child victim
  • Adapt airway clearance techniques for victims of different body types
  • Learn the proper airway clearance techniques for a conscious or unconscious infant
  • Apply airway clearance techniques for a person suffering from airway obstruction

First aid – Anaphylaxis

  • Learn the definition of anaphylaxis and the responder's roles
  • Recognize the various allergens, signs, and symptoms of an allergic reaction
  • Understand the physiological reactions and the effects of epinephrine
  • Learn the proper epinephrine injection techniques and the clinical intervention protocol
  • Know how auto-injectors work and the associated risks
  • Interpret a clinical situation and respond to a victim in anaphylactic reaction
  • Master a complete intervention for a victim suffering an anaphylactic-type allergic reaction

Medical first aid

The medical approach and primary survey allows for safely assessing a scene, evaluating level of consciousness, respiratory and circulatory functions, interpreting the level of orientation, and directing toward the correct intervention protocols.

Epilepsy and seizures

  • Recognize the signs and symptoms of an epileptic or seizure episode
  • Learn the proper intervention techniques
  • Interpret a clinical situation and intervene

Respiratory difficulties

  • Recognize the signs and symptoms of respiratory difficulty
  • Learn the proper intervention techniques
  • Interpret a clinical situation and intervene

Nosebleed (epistaxis)

  • Recognize the signs and symptoms of a nosebleed
  • Learn the proper intervention techniques
  • Interpret a clinical situation and intervene

Heat stroke (hyperthermia)

  • Recognize the signs and symptoms of heat stroke
  • Learn the proper intervention techniques
  • Interpret a clinical situation and intervene

Diabetic problems

  • Recognize the signs and symptoms (hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia)
  • Learn the proper intervention techniques
  • Interpret a clinical situation and intervene

Hypothermia

  • Recognize the signs and symptoms of hypothermia
  • Learn the proper intervention techniques
  • Interpret a clinical situation and intervene

Food poisoning

  • Recognize the signs and symptoms of food poisoning
  • Learn the proper intervention techniques
  • Interpret a clinical situation and intervene

Traumatic first aid

  • Foreword: understand the principles of traumatic intervention and the reasons not to move a traumatized victim (except in an uncontrolled risk situation)
  • Approach and primary survey – TRAUMATIC: recognize hazards, learn cervical/spinal immobilization, primary assessment of a traumatized victim, management of vital functions (A, B, C)
  • Eye injuries: recognize, interpret, and intervene
  • Burns: recognize, interpret, and intervene
  • Hemorrhage: recognize, learn control techniques (direct pressure, bandages, tourniquets), interpret, and intervene
  • Practice – Traumatic first aid part 1: hemorrhage — recognize, intervention techniques, clinical situation, intervention
  • Extremity injuries: recognize the signs, intervention techniques, clinical situation, intervention
  • Head and spinal injuries: recognize the signs, intervention techniques, clinical situation, intervention
  • Practice – Traumatic first aid part 2: extremity injuries — recognize, techniques, clinical situation, intervention

Conclusion

  • Awareness of continuing education and the importance of refreshing skills

Actual course structure — modules and lessons

Anaphylactic allergic reactions

  • The purpose of the training - Anaphylaxis
  • The roles of the first aider
  • Quebec legislative regulations
  • The definition of anaphylaxis
  • Allergens
  • Signs and symptoms
  • The clinical presentation
  • The effects of epinephrine
  • The injection
  • The protocol
  • Introduction to auto-injectors
  • The risks of the auto-injector
  • Summary

Introduction to CPR

  • Training objectives - CPR
  • Statistics, survival curves
  • Intervention using the C-A-B technique (chest compressions, airway, breathing)
  • Risk factors
  • Angina and its complications
  • Patient categories
  • Stroke

Demonstration - Intervention sequence for a person experiencing an anaphylactic reaction

  • Medical intervention on a person experiencing an anaphylactic reaction
  • Adapting the anaphylactic response based on the victim's breathing
  • Setting the scene for the anaphylactic intervention
  • The epinephrine administration protocol
  • Certain special situations

The approach and primary assessment

  • Scene assessment
  • The level of consciousness
  • If the victim is conscious and needs to take medication
  • Assessing breathing
  • The recovery position

Life-threatening emergencies

  • Angina and cardiac pain
  • Stroke
  • Opioid overdose

Chest compressions

  • Compressions in adults
  • Video - Adult Chest Compressions
  • Compressions: some special cases
  • Chest compressions in a child
  • Video - Chest compressions in a child
  • Chest compressions on an infant
  • Video - Infant Chest Compressions
  • Duty cycle
  • Summary of chest compressions

Ventilations

  • Update — COVID-19
  • Rescue breaths
  • Video - Adult Ventilations
  • Video - Child Ventilations
  • Ventilation in infants
  • Video - Infant ventilations
  • Mouth-to-mouth
  • Ventilation devices

Defibrillation

  • Defibrillation in adults
  • Defibrillation in children
  • Defibrillation in the infant

Special cases

  • Special cases

Downloading a mobile app

  • Downloading a mobile app
  • Video - Mobile App

Demonstration - One-rescuer CPR sequence in an adult

  • Medical Response in an Adult with 1 Rescuer
  • If the adult victim is breathing
  • If the adult victim is not breathing
  • Using the defibrillator on an adult victim
  • Continuing the sequence in the adult victim
  • Video - One-rescuer CPR sequence in an adult

Practice - One-rescuer CPR sequence in an adult

  • Preamble - Practising CPR on an Adult
  • Video - Practising the single-rescuer adult CPR sequence

Demonstration - One-rescuer CPR sequence in a child

  • Medical intervention on a child by 1 rescuer
  • If the child victim is breathing
  • If the child victim is not breathing
  • Using the defibrillator on a child victim
  • Continuing the sequence with a child victim
  • Video - One-rescuer CPR sequence in a child

Practice - One-rescuer CPR sequence in a child

  • Preamble - Practicing CPR on a child
  • Video - Practicing the one-rescuer child CPR sequence

Demonstration - One-rescuer CPR sequence in an infant

  • Medical intervention on an infant with 1 rescuer
  • If the infant victim is breathing
  • If the infant victim is not breathing
  • Video - One-rescuer infant CPR sequence

Practice - One-rescuer CPR sequence in an infant

  • Preamble - Practising CPR on an infant
  • Video - Practicing the one-rescuer infant CPR sequence

Airway clearance in adults, children and others

  • Clearing the Airway in the Adult and Child
  • Video - Clearing the airway in adults and children
  • Clearing the airway in a victim seated in a wheelchair
  • Airway clearance in a pregnant woman
  • Video - Airway clearance in a pregnant woman
  • Clearing the airway in an obese victim
  • Clearing the airway in a large victim
  • Video - Clearing the airway in a large-bodied victim
  • Clearing your own airway

Airway clearance in an infant

  • Clearing the airway in an infant
  • Video - Airway clearance in an infant

The approach and primary assessment - MEDICAL

  • Assessing a scene - MEDICAL
  • Assessing Level of Consciousness - MEDICAL
  • Assess respiratory function - MEDICAL
  • Assessing circulatory functions - MEDICAL
  • Assessing the level of orientation - MEDICAL
  • Evaluating the Chief Complaint - MEDICAL

Epilepsy and seizures

  • Definition of a Seizure
  • Types of seizures
  • Managing seizure-related emergencies

Breathing difficulties

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Asthma
  • If the victim is conscious and needs to take medication
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Administering the inhaler — Salbutamol

Nosebleeds

  • Nosebleeds

Diabetic problems

  • Definition of diabetes
  • Signs and symptoms of a diabetes-related emergency
  • Diabetic problems

Heatstroke

  • Heatstroke

Food poisoning

  • Food poisoning

Foreword on trauma first aid

  • Foreword on trauma first aid

The approach and primary assessment - TRAUMATIC

  • Scene Assessment - TRAUMATIC
  • Assessing the Level of Consciousness - TRAUMATIC
  • Assess respiratory function - TRAUMATIC
  • Assessing blood loss - TRAUMATIC
  • Expose the pain expressed by the victim - TRAUMA

Eye injuries

  • Penetrating and perforating eye injuries
  • Eye injuries from non-penetrating foreign bodies
  • Eyelid injuries
  • Ocular burn injury

Burns

  • Introduction to burn injuries
  • Thermal burns
  • Chemical burns
  • Electrical burns
  • Inhalation burns
  • Signs and symptoms of burn injuries

Bleeding

  • Introduction to hemorrhages
  • Recognizing minor external and major external bleeding
  • External bleeding
  • Recognizing internal bleeding
  • Internal Bleeding

Practice - Trauma first aid part 1

  • Preamble - Traumatic first aid practice part 1
  • Scenario - Trauma first aid practice part 1
  • Video - Trauma First Aid Practice Part 1

Extremity injuries

  • Function and important structures of the musculoskeletal system
  • Fractures
  • Sprains
  • Dislocations
  • Signs and symptoms of an extremity injury
  • Intervention for extremity trauma

Head and spine injuries

  • Indications for spinal protection
  • Head and spinal trauma

Practice - Trauma first aid part 2

  • Preamble - Traumatic first aid practice part 2
  • Scenario - Traumatic first aid practice part 2
  • Video - Trauma first aid practice part 2

Conclusion

  • Continuing education

Instruction, assessments and practice

4.1 Theoretical instruction

It is essential to complete all provided readings before progressing through the program. After each reading section, you must click the « COMPLETED » button. An interactive medical glossary is made available to you: highlighted terms offer an information bubble and a link to a full definition.

"Explanations" sections — Optional but recommended

The "Explanations" sections offer additional details and enriching context. Their content is not assessed, but they can significantly improve your ability to apply the skills in real situations.

4.2 Theoretical assessments

At the end of each reading module, a multiple-choice quiz must be completed within 60 minutes. Minimum required score: 80%. Up to 10 attempts are allowed. A "Need a hint?" button is available during the assessments.

Intervention in case of repeated failures

If you do not pass the test after 10 attempts, a direct intervention with an ONCPR instructor will be necessary to identify and address the difficulties encountered.

4.3 Practical sessions

Before each practical session, you will be guided in building a CPR mannequin using everyday objects. During the session, an animated video guides participants through the steps of the maneuvers. Our automated system tracks time spent on each session — progress is blocked until the session is fully completed. The ONCPR mobile app is also available as an additional support tool.

5 — Deadline management

From the date of purchase, you have 10 weeks to complete the entire program. Inactivity of more than 10 weeks results in a temporary suspension of your file. To reactivate your access, contact ONCPR at [email protected].

Tip

Plan regular study sessions. This makes it easier to complete the training on time and helps you more effectively retain the knowledge and skills taught.

7 — ONCPR evaluation

Confidential summative evaluations are conducted during the training to measure teaching effectiveness. A confidential overall evaluation is also carried out at the conclusion of the training. Your feedback can be sent to: [email protected]

Certification

Upon completion of the training, once all assessments have been passed, an official « Advanced First Responder » certificate will be issued to you in electronic format, immediately available for download, emailing, or printing.

Available formats

  • Standard format: 8.5 × 11 inches (letter format), ideal for a professional setting or for archiving.
  • Pocket card format: double-sided, convenient for everyday use.

Security and recognition

Each certificate is unique and secured with a QR code and a unique URL link allowing its authenticity to be verified. ONCPR programs are regularly updated to reflect the latest national standards in emergency care.

A laminated physical version is available upon request. Please contact our administration.

Accessibility and accommodations

ONCPR is committed to creating an inclusive learning environment. We encourage students with disabilities to inform us as early as possible in the training. Personalized accommodation measures can be put in place:

  • Extended deadlines for tasks or assessments
  • Adapted teaching materials: large print, audio formats, digital versions with assistive technology
  • Assistance during practical sessions to ensure full and safe participation

Educational support

Direct support: our team is available by email at [email protected] and via interactive chat on our website. Service hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Additional resources: complete medical glossary, intervention protocols, unlimited access to course content for as long as your certification remains valid (except for the quizzes).

  • Weekly capsules on social media: practical tips adapted to the latest trends in first aid
  • Community engagement: exchange of information and mutual support within the community of learners

Teaching materials

No mandatory materials, but the following resources are strongly recommended:

  • ONCPR mobile app: interactive guides, demonstration videos, simulations, and quizzes — accessible at any time.
  • Stable internet connection: essential to access the full content.
  • Online training platform: explanatory texts, graphics, interactive presentations, case studies, and recent research.

Media references and appendices

Our online library offers an extensive selection of specialized references and publications, as well as a series of documents and case studies illustrating the practical applications of first aid techniques. Accessible via: ontario.firstaidcprcanada.ca/bibliographie/

Our programs are built in compliance with national guidelines for first aid and CPR, regularly revised to keep pace with advances in the field.

Last updated: July 2026