Home » Red Cross First Aid Instructor Training
Category Archives: Red Cross First Aid Instructor Training
Who teaches the Red Cross First Aid Instructor Courses?
I am interested in taking a Canadian Red Cross First Aid and CPR/AED Instructor Course, and was wondering who the instructor would be?
Your Red Cross First Aid Instructor, First Aid Instructor Transfer, or First Aid Instructor Recertification course will be taught either by a Master Instructor Trainer, or an Instructor Trainer.
Instructor trainers are veteran Red Cross first aid instructors, who have taken additional training with the Red Cross to teach instructor schools (where they learned how to impart best practices for adult education). Master instructor trainers are very experienced ITs who act in a leadership role within the Canadian Red Cross First Aid program.
The Canadian Red Cross works on a third party delivery model, meaning that Training Providers certified by the Red Cross offer training on behalf of the Red Cross. At Priority Care First Aid your instructor development course will be taught by a Master Instructor Trainer.
What can I do to be completely prepared for a Red Cross First Aid and CPR Instructor Course?
I am booked for an upcoming Canadian Red Cross First Aid & CPR/AED Instructor Course. I want to be completely prepared. Do you have any advice?
This is an excellent question. Here are some of our thoughts:
1) Pick up your course materials as soon as you can. The more time you have to familiarize yourself with these materials the better!
2) The Canadian Red Cross First Aid and CPR / AED Instructor course is about how to teach. The focus is on adult education and the effective delivery of first aid courses. There is an expectation that you will enter the instructor course with strong first aid and CPR skills. All of the skills are clearly depicted in both of the student textbooks (the CPR/AED Manual and the First Aid & CPR Manual). There are also key points in your instructor guide, as well as video based demonstrations on the multi media presentation. Practice hard to ensure consistency with these materials.
3) As mentioned above, completely familiarize yourself with all of the content of the student and instructor resources you are provided. Be clear on the Red Cross standards, as opposed to St. John Ambulance, The Lifesaving Society, the Canadian Ski Patrol, the Heart & Stroke Foundation, WorkSafe BC, etc. Each organization does things a little bit differently and it is important to always teach Red Cross courses consistent with the Red Cross course materials.
4) Plan out your assigned teaching presentations before your instructor course. You will probably end up modifying them based on things you learn in the instructor school, but getting the heavy lifting done before your instructor course will take a lot of the pressure off.
How much experience do you need to take a Red Cross First Aid Instructor Course?
How much experience do I need to become a first aid instructor?
The pre-requisites to become a new first aid instructor are to:
- be at least 18 years of age
- hold a valid Standard First Aid with CPR-HCP certificate
The Canadian Red Cross First Aid and CPR / AED instructor course will then give you the skills you will need to teach effectively.
There are several things you can do to strengthen your skills and knowledge though:
- Take advanced first aid courses to strengthen your knowledge of first aid. We highly recommend the Red Cross First Responder course as an excellent starting point.
- We always recommend auditing or co-teaching with experienced Red Cross first aid instructors.
- If you would like to further your understanding if adult education you should look into the Vancouver Community College School of Instruction. Their website is www.instructordiploma.com
To learn more about the Red Cross First Aid Instructor Development Program click HERE.
And, to view upcoming course dates, you can click HERE.