Student First Aid Training for High Schools in Vancouver
In 2025, the Government of British Columbia announced a new requirement for Grade 10 students to receive mandatory CPR and AED training as part of the high school curriculum. This initiative was introduced to help more young people learn how to recognize and respond to cardiac emergencies before professional help arrives.
At Fundamental First Aid, we work directly with Vancouver-area schools to deliver student first aid training programs that meet this new requirement. Our instructors provide fun, hands-on learning that helps students build real skills and confidence that can save lives. We have already provided this training for Grade 10 students at West Point Grey Academy and The Brockton School, and we are proud to help other schools across British Columbia meet this important new standard.
About Fundamental First Aid
Fundamental First Aid is a Red Cross and WorkSafeBC-approved training center located at 1868 Glen Dr #206, Vancouver, BC V6A 4K4.
We specialize in teaching WorkSafeBC-approved first aid and CPR courses to individuals, businesses, and schools across the Lower Mainland. Our team includes certified instructors with real-world experience in emergency response, education, and healthcare.
We believe that first aid training should be practical, engaging, and accessible for everyone. Our instructors know how to make learning fun and relatable for students while keeping lessons focused on safety, confidence, and real-world application.
New CPR and AED Training Requirement for BC Grade 10 Students
Starting in the 2025–2026 school year, the BC Ministry of Education introduced a mandatory CPR and AED training requirement for all Grade 10 students. This initiative aligns with recommendations from national health organizations to teach life-saving skills to young people before they graduate.
Schools must now ensure that every Grade 10 student completes a CPR and AED training program as part of their physical and health education curriculum.
The goal of this requirement is simple:
Teach students how to recognize cardiac emergencies
Help them perform high-quality CPR
Train them to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) safely and effectively
By providing this education early, BC is helping build a generation of citizens who are prepared to act quickly and confidently in emergencies, whether at school, at home, or in public places.
Why Every School Needs AED Training
An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is one of the most effective tools available for saving lives in cardiac emergencies. Modern AEDs are designed to be simple and intuitive, but only if people know how to use them correctly.
The new guidelines state that every high school in British Columbia is to have at least one AED on-site. For many schools, it is an important part of their safety plan. However, having an AED is not enough. Students, teachers, and staff must also know how to use it.
Through our AED training, participants learn how to:
Recognize signs of sudden cardiac arrest
Locate and activate an AED quickly
Apply electrode pads correctly
Follow the AED’s voice instructions
Work as a team until professional help arrives
In a school environment, a fast response can mean everything. Whether it is a student athlete, a staff member, or a visitor who collapses, trained individuals make the difference between life and loss.
How Fundamental First Aid Supports High Schools
Fundamental First Aid has extensive experience delivering student CPR and AED training programs in school settings.
We have worked with both West Point Grey Academy and The Brockton School, where we provided Grade 10 first aid and CPR training that met the new Ministry requirements.
We make it easy for schools to host these programs by offering:
On-site training at your school using portable training equipment
Flexible scheduling to fit within your P.E. class schedule
Instructor-led sessions designed specifically for high school learners
Our instructors keep classes engaging with demonstrations, interactive activities, and hands-on practice that help students retain what they learn. Schools consistently tell us that students enjoy the sessions and leave feeling empowered to help in an emergency.
What Students Learn in First Aid and CPR Training
Our student first aid training programs teach Grade 10 students how to recognize, respond to, and manage common emergencies. The training aligns with Canadian Red Cross standards while keeping lessons age-appropriate and easy to understand.
Students will learn how to:
Assess an emergency scene and call for help
Perform CPR on adults, children, and infants
Use an AED safely and correctly
Manage choking and airway emergencies
Treat bleeding, burns, and shock
Provide basic care until help arrives
We provide all the training equipment, including AED trainers, CPR mannequins, and first aid supplies. Each student participates in hands-on practice under the guidance of certified instructors who make sure everyone leaves confident in their abilities.
Teacher and Staff AED Training
While the focus of the new regulation is on student training, teachers and school staff also play a vital role in emergency response. In most schools, staff members are the first to respond when a student or visitor experiences a medical emergency.
To help schools prepare, Fundamental First Aid offers AED and CPR training for teachers and administrative staff. These sessions can be delivered alongside student training days or scheduled as part of professional development sessions.
Teacher training includes:
Understanding how AEDs function and where they should be placed in a school
Hands-on AED and CPR practice
Review of school-specific emergency procedures
Building team coordination and communication skills during emergencies
By ensuring both students and teachers are trained, schools create a safer environment for everyone on campus.
Why Choose Fundamental First Aid for School Training
Schools across Vancouver choose Fundamental First Aid because we make compliance with the new CPR and AED training requirements simple and effective. We understand the challenges of coordinating large groups, tight schedules, and school budgets, and we adapt our approach to fit each school’s needs.
Here is what sets us apart:
Experience teaching in Vancouver high schools, including West Point Grey Academy and The Brockton School
Canadian Red Cross certified programs that meet BC’s new Grade 10 CPR and AED standard
Engaging and age-appropriate instruction designed for teenagers
Hands-on training using realistic AED and CPR simulators
Affordable group pricing for schools and districts
Friendly, professional instructors with years of experience teaching youth
Our programs do more than meet the government’s training requirement. They build confidence, teamwork, and a lifelong understanding of how to help others in need.
Common Questions About School CPR and AED Programs
Yes. Starting in the 2025-26 school year, all Grade 10 students in British Columbia must receive CPR and AED instruction as part of their physical and health education curriculum.
Yes. We bring all training materials, AED trainers, mannequins, and first aid supplies to the session. Schools only need to provide a classroom or gym space.
CPR training will take between 3 and 6 hours of classroom time, depending on whether or not some online training has been done ahead of time. We can adjust schedules to fit within a school day or period rotation.
Yes. Many schools choose to include teachers, coaches, or office staff in the training so that the entire school community benefits.
Yes. Upon completion, students receive a CPR/AED Level C certificate from The Canadian Red Cross, confirming they have completed CPR and AED instruction under the new provincial guideline.
Areas We Serve
Fundamental First Aid proudly offers student CPR and AED training to schools throughout the Greater Vancouver Area, including:
Downtown Vancouver
Mount Pleasant
East Vancouver
Fairview
Kitsilano
Commercial Drive
Burnaby
Richmond
North Vancouver
We also work with schools in surrounding communities across the Lower Mainland that are implementing the new Grade 10 CPR and AED requirement.
Book Student First Aid Training for Your School
If your school is preparing to meet the new Grade 10 CPR and AED training requirement, we can help.
Contact Fundamental First Aid today to arrange a student first aid training session for your high school. Our team can host the training at your school or at our Glen Drive facility, depending on what works best for your staff and students.
Locally owned. Red Cross and WorkSafeBC approved. Trusted by Vancouver schools for professional, student-centered first aid training that saves lives.