Marine First Aid & CPR/AED Certification Ontario
Choose Your Location
Get Transport Canada approved Marine First Aid & CPR/AED certified in Mississauga, Hamilton, or St. Catharines. 14-hour blended course — complete online theory at home, then join a hands-on skills session. WSIB-approved. Same-day certificate. Available Monday through Sunday.
Complete Online Theory — On Your Schedule
Log into the Canadian Red Cross online portal and complete the marine first aid theory modules at home at your own pace. No classroom required for this portion — most learners finish in 4–6 hours.
Attend Your In-Person Skills Sessions
Book your hands-on practical day(s) at one of our three Ontario locations. Certified instructors guide you through marine-specific rescue scenarios, CPR, AED, patient assessment, and casualty care.
Leave With Your Certificate Same Day
Receive a temporary Transport Canada and WSIB-accepted Red Cross certificate the same day. Your official digital certificate is emailed within 2–4 business days and remains valid for 3 years.
Select Your Marine First Aid Training Location in Ontario
All three sites deliver the identical Transport Canada approved, Canadian Red Cross Marine First Aid curriculum. Choose the location that best fits your commute — same certification, same instructors, same quality.
Marine First Aid Mississauga
Centrally located near Square One, Highway 401, and 403, our Mississauga location is the top choice for marine professionals and recreational boaters across Peel Region, Brampton, Oakville, and the greater GTA.
Mississauga, ON L5A 1V9
Transit & Free Parking
- Transport Canada approved Marine First Aid curriculum
- CPR Level C & AED training included
- Marine-specific casualty care and patient assessment
- Serving Brampton, Oakville, Etobicoke, and the GTA
Marine First Aid Hamilton
Located in Downtown Hamilton, this location is ideal for Hamilton Harbour operators, Burlington waterfront workers, and marine professionals throughout Hamilton-Wentworth. Instructors bring real-world emergency experience to every class.
Hamilton, ON L8R 2M2
Transit & Free Parking
- Transport Canada approved Marine First Aid curriculum
- CPR Level C & AED training included
- Instructors with clinical & emergency response experience
- Serving Burlington, Stoney Creek, and Hamilton Harbour area
Marine First Aid St. Catharines
Our newest location in Thorold / St. Catharines serves the entire Niagara Region — ideal for Welland Canal operators, Lake Ontario and Lake Erie boaters, Niagara Falls-area marine workers, and the Brock University community.
Thorold, ON L2V 4V4
Convenient Parking
- Same Transport Canada approved course as all other locations
- Ideal for Welland Canal and Lake Ontario/Erie operators
- Serves Niagara Falls, Welland, and surrounding communities
- Modern equipment for thorough practical skills practice
What You Learn in the Marine First Aid & CPR/AED Course
The 14-hour Transport Canada approved Marine First Aid course covers five core skill areas. The blended format means you study the theory online, then practise every skill hands-on with a certified instructor.
Module 1 — Marine Emergency Management & Scene Safety
Module 2 — Patient Assessment & Primary Survey
Module 3 — CPR, AED & Cardiac Emergencies at Sea
Module 4 — Marine-Specific Trauma & Environmental Injuries
Module 5 — Casualty Transport, Rescue & Recovery Position
Marine First Aid Course Levels — Which One Do You Need?
Transport Canada recognises two levels of marine first aid training. The course you need depends on the type of vessel, route, and your role aboard.
Marine Basic First Aid + CPR/AED ✦ Most Common
The standard 14-hour certification required for most commercial vessels and recreational operators. Covers marine-specific trauma, CPR/AED, environmental emergencies, and casualty management.
Who needs it:
- Commercial vessel crew (Small Vessel Operator Proficiency)
- Fishing vessel operators and crew
- Charter boat and tour operators
- Marina staff and dock workers
- Recreational boaters seeking full preparedness
- Brock University & college maritime programs
Certificate Details
Valid for 3 years. Issued by the Canadian Red Cross. Accepted by Transport Canada and WSIB.
Available at all 3 Ontario locations · Same-day temporary cert · Digital cert emailed within 2–4 business days
Marine Advanced First Aid
A higher-level certification for vessels on extended voyages or those operating beyond coastal waters. Adds advanced patient assessment, pharmacology basics, and prolonged casualty management.
Who needs it:
- Master mariners and vessel officers
- Offshore and deep-sea commercial operators
- Coast Guard and search-and-rescue personnel
- Vessels required to carry a ship's medical officer
- Crew on international or extended domestic routes
Certificate Details
Valid for 3 years. Transport Canada approved. Contact us for availability and scheduling.
Contact us for advanced marine first aid scheduling and group pricing.
Who Should Take the Marine First Aid & CPR/AED Course?
Marine First Aid training is required under the Canada Shipping Act for most commercial vessel operators and is strongly recommended for anyone who works or recreates on Ontario's waterways.
Commercial Vessel Operators
Masters, mates, and crew of commercial vessels operating on Canadian waters.
Fishing Vessel Crew
Commercial and charter fishing operators required to hold valid marine first aid.
Tour & Charter Operators
Niagara Falls boat tours, whale watch, and passenger vessel operators.
Marina & Dock Workers
Marina staff, dock hands, and waterfront facility employees.
University & College Students
Brock, McMaster, and maritime program students needing placement certifications.
Recreational Boaters
Anyone boating on Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, the Welland Canal, or inland Ontario waterways.
Search & Rescue Volunteers
Auxiliary coast guard and volunteer marine rescue organisations across Ontario.
Workplace First Aiders (Marine)
Waterfront industrial workers needing dual WSIB and Transport Canada compliance.
Why Choose Aspire First Aid for Marine First Aid Certification in Ontario?
Thousands of Ontario marine professionals and boaters have trained with us. Here's what sets us apart.
Transport Canada Approved
Nationally Recognised
Every course meets Transport Canada's marine first aid training standards under the Canada Shipping Act. Certificates are accepted by federal regulators, marine employers, and WSIB across Canada.
Accreditation
Delivered under the Canadian Red Cross curriculum. Transport Canada approved training provider.
WSIB & O.Reg 1101 Approved
Ontario Compliance
Our Marine First Aid courses fully satisfy Ontario's workplace first aid regulation for marine and waterfront employers. Certificates are WSIB-ready the same day you complete training.
Regulation
Satisfies both Transport Canada marine requirements and Ontario Regulation 1101 under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act.
Same-Day Certificate
Immediate Proof
You leave every session with a temporary Red Cross certificate valid for your employer and Transport Canada the same day. The permanent digital cert arrives by email within 2–4 business days.
Validity
Marine First Aid: 3-year validity. Certificate format: official digital Canadian Red Cross card.
3 Convenient Ontario Locations
Mississauga · Hamilton · St. Catharines
Choose the location nearest you. All three sites run Monday through Sunday with morning and afternoon session options. Ideal for Ontario's Great Lakes and Niagara waterway communities.
Coverage
Serving GTA, Peel Region, Hamilton Harbour, Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Welland Canal, and Niagara Region. Group and on-site training available province-wide.
Related Courses & BLS Courses
Not sure if Marine First Aid is the right course? Explore all our Ontario certification options below.
Frequently Asked Questions — Marine First Aid & CPR/AED Certification in Ontario
How long is the Marine First Aid course?
Total Time Breakdown
The blended format splits the course into two parts. The online theory takes approximately 7 hours and can be completed at home at your own pace. The in-person skills session totals 14 hours (typically delivered over 1–2 days). Transport Canada mandates the 14-hour minimum for marine first aid certification.
Is this course accepted by Transport Canada?
Yes. Our Marine First Aid course is Transport Canada approved and delivered under the Canadian Red Cross curriculum. The certificate satisfies Transport Canada's requirements under the Canada Shipping Act for commercial vessel operators and crew. It is also WSIB-approved under Ontario O.Reg 1101 for waterfront and marine workplace first aiders.
What is the difference between Marine First Aid and standard CPR/AED certification?
Standard CPR/AED certification covers cardiac and choking emergencies for land-based workplaces and the general public. Marine First Aid includes all of those skills plus marine-specific content such as hypothermia and cold water immersion, near-drowning care, man overboard response, patient assessment and casualty transport aboard vessels, and distress signalling. It is the correct certification for anyone operating or working on Canadian waterways.
Do I get my certificate the same day?
Yes. A temporary Red Cross certificate is provided the same day you complete your in-person skills session — valid immediately for Transport Canada and employer submission. Your permanent digital certificate is emailed within 2–4 business days and is valid for 3 years.
What should I bring to the in-person skills session?
Bring a valid photo ID and wear comfortable, moveable clothing — you'll be practising CPR, patient movement, and rescue scenarios. It helps to bring water and a snack for the longer session, and arrive 10 minutes early to complete sign-in. Proof of online theory completion will be verified by the instructor.
Which location should I choose?
All three locations deliver the identical Transport Canada approved, Red Cross certified Marine First Aid course. Simply choose the one closest to you:
- Mississauga — best for GTA, Peel Region, Brampton, Oakville, Lake Ontario west shore
- Hamilton — best for Hamilton Harbour, Burlington, Lake Ontario south shore, Stoney Creek
- St. Catharines — best for Niagara Region, Welland Canal, Lake Erie, Niagara Falls, Welland
Can I reschedule if my plans change?
Yes. Sessions run most days across all three locations. If you need to reschedule, contact us at +1 (289) 890-2898 or info@fagt.ca and we'll move you to the next available date without hassle.
Do you offer group or on-site Marine First Aid training for vessels and marinas?
Yes. We offer mobile on-site Marine First Aid group training for marinas, commercial operators, fishing fleets, and organisations across the GTHA and Niagara Region. Call +1 (289) 890-2898 or visit our Group Training page for custom scheduling and group pricing.
Ready to Get Marine First Aid & CPR/AED Certified?
Choose your Ontario location and book your Marine First Aid session today. Same-day certificate, Transport Canada approved, Canadian Red Cross certified, WSIB-approved. Available Mon–Sun.