Can a security guard give naloxone?

Health Canada encourages anyone to give naloxone during a suspected opioid overdose. Take hands-on training, and follow your employer's procedures and any rules in your province.

Where can I get a naloxone kit?

Many provinces and territories offer free take-home kits, and most pharmacies carry them without a prescription. Health Canada lists provincial programs on its naloxone page.

Can I overdose by touching fentanyl?

Follow CCOHS precautions: do not touch suspected drugs, wear gloves, and wash any skin contact with soap and water. Do not let fear stop you from helping a person who is not breathing.

Do I need to call 9-1-1 if the person wakes up?

Yes. Naloxone can wear off before the opioids do, and the person still needs medical care.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace the security licence training required in your province or territory.

Overdose and Naloxone Awareness Course 2026

Question 1 of 25

Which eye sign is common in an opioid overdose?

Red, watery eyes only
Very large pupils
Eyes that move quickly side to side
Very small (pinpoint) pupils

Show answer

Answer: D. Very small (pinpoint) pupils

Health Canada lists very small, pinpoint pupils as a sign of opioid overdose.

Question 2 of 25

Which breathing sign can point to an opioid overdose?

Coughing and sneezing after drinking cold water
Hiccups that start and stop on their own
Fast, deep breathing like after running up stairs
Slow, weak or no breathing, or gurgling and snoring sounds

Show answer

Answer: D. Slow, weak or no breathing, or gurgling and snoring sounds

Opioids slow down breathing. Choking, gurgling or snoring sounds and slow or no breathing are warning signs.

Question 3 of 25

What colour may the lips and nails of a person having an opioid overdose turn?

Yellow, like a healing bruise
Blue, purple or grey
Bright red, like a sunburn
Pink and flushed from heat

Show answer

Answer: B. Blue, purple or grey

Lack of oxygen can make lips and nails turn blue, purple or grey.

Question 4 of 25

What does naloxone do?

It cures opioid addiction so cravings stop for good
It reverses the effects of too much alcohol
It works as a strong pain reliever after injury
It temporarily reverses the effects of an opioid overdose

Show answer

Answer: D. It temporarily reverses the effects of an opioid overdose

Naloxone pushes opioids off the brain's receptors for a short time, which can restore breathing.

Question 5 of 25

Naloxone works on overdoses caused by which drugs?

Cannabis, including edibles and vapes
Any drug at all, including stimulants used alone
Opioids, such as fentanyl, heroin, morphine and codeine
Alcohol, when a person has had far too much

Show answer

Answer: C. Opioids, such as fentanyl, heroin, morphine and codeine

Naloxone only works when opioids are in the body. It still helps when opioids are mixed with other drugs.

Question 6 of 25

Naloxone is active for about 30 to 120 minutes. Why must you stay with the person after giving it?

You must collect the empty device for police
Opioids may outlast it, so breathing can stop again
The person will need a ride home
Naloxone always causes a second overdose

Show answer

Answer: B. Opioids may outlast it, so breathing can stop again

Health Canada warns naloxone can wear off before the opioids do, so the overdose can come back.

Question 7 of 25

You gave one dose of naloxone and there is no response after 2 to 3 minutes. What should you do?

Wait 30 minutes before trying again
Give the person water to drink
Give another dose
Stop, because a second dose is dangerous

Show answer

Answer: C. Give another dose

Health Canada says more doses can be given safely if there is no response within 2 to 3 minutes.

Question 8 of 25

You are not sure whether an unresponsive person took opioids. Should you give naloxone?

No, only if you see drugs nearby
No, only a doctor can decide
Only if the person asks for it
Yes, give it even if you are in doubt

Show answer

Answer: D. Yes, give it even if you are in doubt

Health Canada says to give naloxone even if you are in doubt. An overdose is always an emergency.

Question 9 of 25

What happens if naloxone is given to someone who has not taken opioids?

It has no effect and causes no harm
It stops their heart
It makes them very drowsy
It causes a dangerous overdose

Show answer

Answer: A. It has no effect and causes no harm

Naloxone is safe and has no effect on a person who has not taken opioids.

Question 10 of 25

Health Canada lists four steps to respond to an overdose. What is the right order?

Stay, wait 10 minutes, call 9-1-1, give naloxone
Give naloxone, leave, call 9-1-1 later, write a report
Call a friend, give water, give naloxone, leave
Know the signs, call 9-1-1, give naloxone, stay until help arrives

Show answer

Answer: D. Know the signs, call 9-1-1, give naloxone, stay until help arrives

Health Canada's steps are: know the signs, call 9-1-1, give naloxone and stay until help arrives.

Question 11 of 25

The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act protects people who call for help during an overdose from which charge?

Drug trafficking or selling
Any crime committed at the scene
Impaired driving after using drugs
Simple drug possession

Show answer

Answer: D. Simple drug possession

The Act protects against simple possession charges, and breaches of conditions tied to simple possession.

Question 12 of 25

Which is NOT covered by the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act?

Simple drug possession
Breaching probation conditions about simple possession
Breaching parole conditions about simple possession
Outstanding arrest warrants

Show answer

Answer: D. Outstanding arrest warrants

The Act does not protect against outstanding warrants, trafficking or production, or other crimes.

Question 13 of 25

Who is protected by the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act?

Only the person who calls 9-1-1, if they stay until help comes
Callers, the person overdosing and others at the scene
Only people who stay and give a statement to police
Only health care workers and first responders

Show answer

Answer: B. Callers, the person overdosing and others at the scene

The Act covers anyone who seeks emergency help during an overdose, including the person overdosing, whether they stay or leave before help arrives.

Question 14 of 25

When did the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act become law in Canada?

2012
2017
2023
2007

Show answer

Answer: B. 2017

The Act became law on May 4, 2017.

Question 15 of 25

The person does not answer when you speak loudly. What does Alberta's naloxone kit insert say to try next to check for a response?

Pinch their earlobe gently and wait
Slap them hard across the face
Rub your knuckles hard on the middle of their chest
Pour cold water on their face and the back of their neck

Show answer

Answer: C. Rub your knuckles hard on the middle of their chest

The insert says to speak loudly and rub your fist hard on the middle of the chest. If there is no response, call 9-1-1.

Question 16 of 25

The person is unresponsive but breathing normally. While you wait for help, how should you position them?

Face down on their stomach
Sitting up against a wall
In the recovery position, on their side
Flat on their back with legs raised

Show answer

Answer: C. In the recovery position, on their side

The recovery position keeps the airway open and lets fluids drain if they vomit.

Question 17 of 25

Alberta's naloxone kit insert teaches rescue breathing. How often do you give a breath?

One breath every 5 seconds
Ten quick breaths, then stop
One breath every 30 seconds
Two breaths every minute

Show answer

Answer: A. One breath every 5 seconds

The insert says to give one breath every 5 seconds, about 24 breaths over 2 minutes.

Question 18 of 25

An adult is unresponsive and not breathing normally after a suspected opioid overdose. What do Heart & Stroke 2025 guidelines say?

Only give naloxone; CPR is not needed
Give naloxone and wait 10 minutes before CPR
Wait for paramedics before doing anything
Call 9-1-1, start CPR, and give naloxone too

Show answer

Answer: D. Call 9-1-1, start CPR, and give naloxone too

Lay rescuers may give naloxone for a suspected opioid overdose as long as it does not interfere with high-quality CPR.

Question 19 of 25

How many doses come in a standard nasal spray naloxone kit for Ontario workplaces?

Ten doses of 0.4 mg
Five doses of 2 mg
One dose of 1 mg
Two doses of 4 mg

Show answer

Answer: D. Two doses of 4 mg

Ontario lists a nasal spray kit as two 4 mg/0.1 ml doses, a rescue breathing barrier and non-latex gloves.

Question 20 of 25

In Ontario, when must an employer have a naloxone kit at a workplace?

Only when members of the public use drugs near the site
At every workplace in Ontario, no matter the risk
When one of its own workers may overdose at work
Only at hospitals, pharmacies and supervised sites

Show answer

Answer: C. When one of its own workers may overdose at work

Since June 1, 2023, Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act requires a kit when the overdose risk comes from the employer's own workers.

Question 21 of 25

A person wakes up after naloxone. What hazard should you be ready for?

They will immediately fall asleep for hours
They may be in withdrawal and feel sick or upset
They will have no memory of anything for days
They will be fully recovered and can drive

Show answer

Answer: B. They may be in withdrawal and feel sick or upset

Ontario notes that people in withdrawal may react with aggressive behaviour. Stay calm, explain what happened and that help is coming.

Question 22 of 25

Where is injectable naloxone usually given?

Into a thigh or upper arm muscle
Into the stomach area, like an insulin shot
Under the tongue, like a dissolving tablet
Into a vein on the back of the hand

Show answer

Answer: A. Into a thigh or upper arm muscle

Alberta's insert says to inject into the thigh (preferred) or shoulder, and that it can be given through clothing.

Question 23 of 25

Suspected fentanyl powder gets on your skin. How should you clean it off?

Wipe with bleach
Brush it off and keep working
Rub on alcohol hand sanitizer
Wash with soap and water

Show answer

Answer: D. Wash with soap and water

CCOHS advises soap and water. Alcohol sanitizer may increase absorption through the skin, and bleach should not be used on skin.

Question 24 of 25

Before you give care, what should you put on if it is in your kit?

A full chemical suit and respirator
A dust mask instead of gloves
Gloves and the breathing barrier
Nothing; protective gear only slows you down

Show answer

Answer: C. Gloves and the breathing barrier

Naloxone kits include gloves and a one-way rescue breathing barrier to protect you while you help.

Question 25 of 25

When paramedics arrive, which information is most useful to give them?

How many naloxone doses you gave and at what times
Your opinion about drug use
The person's address and job
How many drugs you think they take each week

Show answer

Answer: A. How many naloxone doses you gave and at what times

Doses and times help paramedics decide on further treatment. Also tell them what you saw and any changes in breathing.

Overdose and Naloxone Awareness Course 2026

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