Rod Friesen, coordinator of Community Services at the Red Cross in Newmarket, Ontario, says that one of the most important questions an adult needs to ask is how the trainers have been trained and certified. He suggests that all trainers have a professional designation from an accredited, recognized agency such as theirs, St. John or the Heart and Stroke Foundation. All trainers at Red Cross are certified within the agency in keeping with Heart and Stroke standards. You might want to inquire about the length of the training course and at what time of the day or week it is offered. One of ADET's courses is between 4-5 hours in length, depending on the size of the group and their experience, and St. John offers a course over 10 hours.
Most agencies offer training programs in the evening and on weekends.
Traditionally, daytime weekday courses take place in people's homes, day care centres, places of work and other such locations. It is advisable that you ask about certification following the program to make sure that it is provided by an accredited, recognized agency. Some certificates, such as those awarded by the Heart and Stroke Foundation are valid for one year. Red Cross certificates are valid for two. We train them how to practice at home with the aid of a stuffed animal or teddy bear, for example.