Canadian CPR certification comes in three levels that get confused constantly: CPR-A, CPR-C, and CPR-BLS (also called Healthcare Provider or HCP). Each covers a different scope of skill and is appropriate for a different audience. Choosing the wrong level for your role either wastes money or leaves you underqualified. This guide clarifies the differences.
The Short Answer
- CPR-A: adult-only CPR + AED. Basic level, rarely enough for a workplace attendant. ~4 hours.
- CPR-C: adult, child, and infant CPR + AED. Standard Canadian workplace level. ~5–6 hours.
- CPR-BLS / HCP: adult, child, infant + two-rescuer CPR, bag-valve-mask, advanced airway adjuncts. Healthcare-provider level. ~6–8 hours.
CPR-A — Adult Only
The most basic CPR certification. Covers:
- Adult CPR (chest compressions and rescue breaths)
- Adult choking (Heimlich manoeuvre)
- Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use on adults
Duration: about 4 hours. Best suited for: personal emergency preparedness where child or infant response is not expected. Not adequate for most workplace first aid attendant designations in Alberta or Canada more broadly.
CPR-C — Adult, Child, and Infant
The standard workplace CPR level in Canada. Covers everything in CPR-A plus:
- Child CPR (age 1 to puberty) with appropriate compression depth and rate
- Infant CPR (under 1 year) using two-finger or two-thumb technique
- Child and infant choking response
- AED use with paediatric considerations
Duration: about 5–6 hours. Best suited for: workplace first aid attendants, childcare workers, teachers, coaches, parents, and anyone whose potential response population includes children or infants. Almost always bundled with Standard First Aid as a single “Standard First Aid & CPR-C” course of 16 hours.
CPR-BLS / Healthcare Provider (HCP) — Two-Rescuer and Advanced
The healthcare-provider level. Covers everything in CPR-C plus:
- Two-rescuer CPR with coordinated compression/ventilation cycles
- Bag-valve-mask (BVM) ventilation
- Airway adjuncts: oropharyngeal (OPA) and nasopharyngeal (NPA) airway insertion
- Team resuscitation dynamics
- Considerations for special populations (pregnancy, drowning, hypothermia)
Duration: about 6–8 hours. Required for: nurses, paramedics, EMTs, respiratory therapists, physicians, dentists, dental hygienists, medical students, nursing students, and other regulated healthcare providers. Also required for remote first aid attendants at some high-hazard Alberta oil & gas sites where BVM ventilation and two-rescuer capability are considered essential.
Compression Rate and Depth — Same Across All Levels
The core CPR technique is identical across all three levels:
- Adult: compressions 100–120/minute, depth 5–6 cm (2–2.4 inches), full recoil, minimise interruptions. Compression-to-ventilation ratio 30:2 for single rescuer.
- Child: same rate, depth ~5 cm or 1/3 chest depth, single or double-hand depending on size.
- Infant: same rate, depth ~4 cm or 1/3 chest depth, two-finger technique for single rescuer or two-thumb encircling for two rescuers.
Which Level Do You Need?
- Alberta workplace first aid attendant: CPR-C at minimum, bundled with Standard First Aid. This is the most common configuration and satisfies OHS First Aid Regulation requirements for most workplaces.
- Alberta oil & gas remote site attendant: CPR-C sufficient for most sites; CPR-BLS/HCP preferred and sometimes required by prime-contractor safety programs for high-hazard remote sites.
- Alberta healthcare professional: CPR-BLS/HCP is the professional standard, required by the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA), colleges of physicians and dentists, and paramedic regulators.
- Childcare, teachers, coaches, parents: CPR-C. The ability to respond to children and infants is essential.
- Personal preparedness only, no children/infants in scope: CPR-A adequate but CPR-C recommended.
Standalone vs Bundled with First Aid
Canadian training providers commonly bundle CPR with First Aid:
- Emergency First Aid + CPR-B or CPR-C (8 hours total) — introductory workplace level
- Standard First Aid + CPR-C (16 hours total) — most common Alberta workplace level
- Advanced Wilderness First Aid + CPR-BLS (32–40 hours total) — remote high-hazard sites
Standalone CPR courses are also available for people who need to renew just the CPR component or who don’t require First Aid certification. Note: standalone CPR renewal does NOT renew your First Aid ticket.
Recertification Schedules
- CPR-A, CPR-C, CPR-BLS: typically 1–2 year validity for standalone CPR, depending on provider. Some sources hold 3-year validity.
- Bundled with First Aid: the combined certificate is valid 3 years (same as First Aid). Renewing the First Aid renews the CPR component at the same time.
Calgary Provider Notes
Calgary has multiple Alberta-approved training providers offering all three CPR levels. Standard First Aid & CPR-C is the most commonly-offered configuration, running daily at Calgary training centres. CPR-BLS/HCP is available at select providers including hospital-affiliated training programs, ambulance service programs, and some private providers with healthcare-focus. Pricing for standalone CPR courses ranges $75–$150; bundled Standard First Aid & CPR-C typically $150–$220.
Related Reading
- When Does First Aid Certification Expire in Calgary?
- Can You Perform CPR With Expired Certification in Calgary?
- First Aid for Remote Oil & Gas Workers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between CPR-A, CPR-C, and CPR-BLS?
CPR-A: adult-only. CPR-C: adds child and infant CPR. CPR-BLS/HCP: adds two-rescuer CPR, bag-valve-mask, and airway adjuncts. Healthcare-provider level.
Which CPR level do I need for a workplace first aid attendant role in Alberta?
CPR-C at minimum. Almost always bundled with Standard First Aid as a 16-hour Standard First Aid & CPR-C course, which is the standard Alberta workplace configuration.
Do healthcare workers need CPR-BLS or is CPR-C enough?
Healthcare workers — nurses, physicians, dentists, paramedics — are required by their regulatory colleges to hold CPR-BLS / HCP. It is the professional standard.
How long does standalone CPR certification last?
Typically 1–2 years validity for standalone CPR, depending on provider. If bundled with First Aid, the combined certificate is valid 3 years.
Can I renew just the CPR without redoing my First Aid?
Yes, if you take a standalone CPR renewal, but this does NOT renew your First Aid ticket. To keep both current, renew the bundled Standard First Aid & CPR-C course before expiry.
Is AED training included in all CPR levels?
Yes. All modern Canadian CPR courses (CPR-A, CPR-C, CPR-BLS) include AED use as part of the standard curriculum.
What is the compression rate and depth for CPR?
Adult: 100–120 compressions per minute, depth 5–6 cm (2–2.4 inches). Child: same rate, ~5 cm or 1/3 chest depth. Infant: same rate, ~4 cm or 1/3 chest depth. Same rate across all three CPR levels.
