First Aid Practice Test (Canada) 2026

1. Question 1 of 25

   Canadian Red Cross courses teach three emergency action steps. What is their correct order?

   • ACall, Care, Check
   • BCheck, Call, Care
   • CCheck, Care, Call
   • DCare, Check, Call
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Check, Call, Care

   The Canadian Red Cross teaches Check, Call, Care: check the scene and the person, call 9-1-1 when needed, then give care.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Step 1 of the diagram is "Check". What do you check before you go near the person?

   • AWhether the person carries a health card
   • BThat the scene is safe for you to approach
   • CThe person's blood sugar level
   • DThe person's pulse at the wrist, counted for a full minute
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   Answer: B. That the scene is safe for you to approach

   Always check the scene for hazards first. You cannot help anyone if you get hurt too.

3. Question 3 of 25

   When you check the scene, which of these do you look for?

   • AWhich hospital is closest to the scene
   • BWhether the person has private health insurance
   • CThe person's name, address and date of birth
   • DHazards, what happened, how many people are hurt and who can help
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Hazards, what happened, how many people are hurt and who can help

   Checking the scene means looking for dangers, finding out what happened and how many people are involved, and seeing who is there to help.

4. Question 4 of 25

   You see a fire you cannot control near an injured person. What should you do?

   • ALeave without calling anyone
   • BThrow water on the fire with your hands
   • CRun in and pull the person out right away, before the fire spreads
   • DStay back, call 9-1-1 and wait for trained help
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Stay back, call 9-1-1 and wait for trained help

   If the scene is not safe, do not enter. Call 9-1-1 so trained responders with the right equipment can help.

5. Question 5 of 25

   After the scene is safe, how do you check whether an adult lying on the floor is responsive?

   • ALift their head off the floor and shake it gently until they wake up
   • BShine a flashlight into their eyes
   • CPour cold water on their face
   • DTap their shoulder and speak loudly, for example "Are you okay?"
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Tap their shoulder and speak loudly, for example "Are you okay?"

   Tap and shout to check responsiveness. Do not move the head, because the person could have a neck injury.

6. Question 6 of 25

   What do the letters ABC stand for when you check a person?

   • AAmbulance, bandage, cold pack
   • BAlert, bleeding, consciousness
   • CAirway, breathing, circulation
   • DArms, body, chest
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Airway, breathing, circulation

   After checking responsiveness, you check the ABCs: airway, breathing and circulation.

7. Question 7 of 25

   How long should you take to check whether a person is breathing?

   • AAbout 1 second
   • B5 to 10 seconds
   • C30 to 60 seconds
   • DAbout 2 minutes
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   Answer: B. 5 to 10 seconds

   Check breathing for 5 to 10 seconds. Longer checks delay CPR if the person is not breathing.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Along with breathing, what else do you look for during your first check of the person?

   • ALife-threatening bleeding, by looking quickly from head to toe
   • BSmall cuts and bruises on the hands
   • CTheir exact body temperature
   • DA medical alert bracelet on every finger
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Life-threatening bleeding, by looking quickly from head to toe

   A quick head-to-toe look for severe bleeding is part of checking the person, because heavy bleeding must be treated right away.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Why do you wear gloves and other personal protective equipment (PPE) when giving first aid?

   • ATo keep your hands warm in winter
   • BBecause the law says only people with gloves may help
   • CTo protect you and the person from infection spread by blood and body fluids
   • DBecause gloves make chest compressions deeper
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   Answer: C. To protect you and the person from infection spread by blood and body fluids

   PPE such as gloves lowers the risk of spreading infection between you and the person you are helping.

10. Question 10 of 25

    A responsive adult has a cut on the arm. What should you do before you start to help?

    • AAsk to see their photo ID
    • BTell them who you are and ask if you may help
    • CStart bandaging without saying anything
    • DWait for the police to arrive and give you permission to help
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    Answer: B. Tell them who you are and ask if you may help

    A responsive person has the right to accept or refuse help. Introduce yourself and ask before giving care.

11. Question 11 of 25

    What number do you call for police, fire or ambulance in an emergency in Canada?

    • A9-1-1
    • B4-1-1
    • C6-1-1
    • D3-1-1
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 9-1-1

    9-1-1 is the emergency number across Canada for police, fire and ambulance.

12. Question 12 of 25

    When should you call 9-1-1?

    • AOnly if the injured person is awake and asks you to call
    • BWhen a person is unresponsive or has a life-threatening problem, or any time you are in doubt
    • COnly after you have tried first aid for 15 minutes and it has not worked
    • DOnly when a doctor or nurse at the scene tells you to call
    Show answer

    Answer: B. When a person is unresponsive or has a life-threatening problem, or any time you are in doubt

    Call EMS/9-1-1 for unresponsiveness or any life-threatening condition. If you are not sure, call.

13. Question 13 of 25

    You are alone with an adult who is unresponsive and not breathing normally. What should you do first?

    • APut them in the recovery position and leave
    • BWait a few minutes to see if they wake up
    • CGive CPR for 10 minutes first, then call 9-1-1 if they have not woken up
    • DCall 9-1-1 and get an AED if one is close by, then start CPR
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Call 9-1-1 and get an AED if one is close by, then start CPR

    For an adult, a lone rescuer calls EMS/9-1-1 and gets an AED, then starts CPR right away.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Several people are standing nearby during an emergency. What is the best way to get help?

    • APoint to one person and ask them to call 9-1-1 and bring an AED
    • BAsk the whole group to talk it over and decide together who should call
    • CSend everyone away so you have space
    • DShout "someone call!" and hope that one of them does it
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Point to one person and ask them to call 9-1-1 and bring an AED

    Giving a clear job to one named person makes sure the call is made and the AED is brought.

15. Question 15 of 25

    You call 9-1-1 on a cell phone while you are alone with a person in cardiac arrest. What should you do with the phone?

    • AHold it to your ear with one hand while you push with the other
    • BPut it on speaker so you can follow the dispatcher while doing compressions
    • CGive it to the person to hold
    • DHang up so you can focus on CPR
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    Answer: B. Put it on speaker so you can follow the dispatcher while doing compressions

    Using the speaker lets you call for help and start CPR at nearly the same time.

16. Question 16 of 25

    An adult is unresponsive and is not breathing, or is only gasping. What should you assume?

    • ATheir heart has stopped (cardiac arrest), so CPR is needed
    • BThey are in a deep sleep and should be left alone
    • CThey are fine because gasping is a type of breathing
    • DThey are having a seizure, so you should wait for it to end before doing anything
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    Answer: A. Their heart has stopped (cardiac arrest), so CPR is needed

    An unresponsive adult who is not breathing normally should be treated as being in cardiac arrest.

17. Question 17 of 25

    An unresponsive person makes slow, irregular gasps every few seconds. How should you treat this?

    • AAs normal breathing: place them in the recovery position
    • BAs a sign they are waking up: give them water
    • CAs snoring: tilt the head and wait 5 minutes
    • DAs not breathing normally: call 9-1-1 and start CPR
    Show answer

    Answer: D. As not breathing normally: call 9-1-1 and start CPR

    Gasping (agonal breathing) does not move enough air. It is a sign of cardiac arrest.

18. Question 18 of 25

    Marker 1 shows where to push for chest compressions on an adult. Where is it?

    • AOver the left side of the ribs, directly above where the heart sits
    • BIn the centre of the chest, on the lower half of the breastbone
    • COn the upper belly, below the ribs
    • DAt the top of the breastbone, just below the throat
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    Answer: B. In the centre of the chest, on the lower half of the breastbone

    Push on the centre of the chest, on the lower half of the breastbone, with the heel of one hand and the other hand on top.

19. Question 19 of 25

    Marker 3 shows the rescuer's body. Why are the arms straight with the shoulders right above the hands?

    • ASo you push straight down using your body weight and tire less
    • BSo you can watch the person's face during CPR
    • CSo you can give breaths without moving
    • DSo the compressions are slower and gentler, which protects the ribs
    Show answer

    Answer: A. So you push straight down using your body weight and tire less

    Straight arms and shoulders over your hands let you use your body weight to reach the right depth.

20. Question 20 of 25

    How fast should you give chest compressions?

    • A140 to 160 compressions per minute
    • B100 to 120 compressions per minute
    • C60 to 80 compressions per minute
    • D30 to 40 compressions per minute
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 100 to 120 compressions per minute

    The rate for adults, children and babies is 100 to 120 compressions per minute.

21. Question 21 of 25

    How deep should you push when giving chest compressions to an adult?

    • AAbout 1 cm
    • BAbout 2.5 cm (1 in.)
    • CAbout 10 cm (4 in.)
    • DAt least 5 cm (2 in.)
    Show answer

    Answer: D. At least 5 cm (2 in.)

    Push at least 5 cm (2 in.) deep on an adult. The green band in the diagram shows the target depth.

22. Question 22 of 25

    In the diagram, marker 2 is an up arrow. What does it remind you to do?

    • AStop for 10 seconds after each push
    • BPull the chest upward with your hands
    • CLet the chest come all the way back up after each push
    • DKeep leaning on the chest between pushes
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    Answer: C. Let the chest come all the way back up after each push

    Full chest recoil lets the heart fill with blood before the next compression. Do not lean on the chest.

23. Question 23 of 25

    What is the ratio of compressions to breaths in CPR for an adult?

    • A30 compressions, then 2 breaths
    • B5 compressions, then 1 breath
    • C15 compressions, then 1 breath
    • D50 compressions, then 5 breaths
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 30 compressions, then 2 breaths

    Canadian Red Cross courses teach 30 compressions to 2 breaths for adults, children and babies.

24. Question 24 of 25

    How do you open an adult's airway before giving rescue breaths?

    • APull the tongue forward with your fingers
    • BPush the chin down onto the chest
    • CTurn the head to the side and press on the belly
    • DTilt the head back and lift the chin
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Tilt the head back and lift the chin

    The head-tilt, chin-lift lifts the tongue away from the back of the throat so air can get in.

25. Question 25 of 25

    How long should each rescue breath last?

    • AAbout 5 seconds each, blowing as hard as you can to fill the lungs
    • BAs long as you can keep breathing out
    • CAbout 1 second, just enough to make the chest rise
    • DAbout 30 seconds
    Show answer

    Answer: C. About 1 second, just enough to make the chest rise

    Each breath should take about 1 second and make the chest rise. Too much air can enter the stomach.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.

The real test: No single government exam. The training agency sets the written test, skills checks and pass mark. Workplace courses follow CSA Z1210.