Helping Communities Respond with Confidence
At Safety First, Craig Munnoch delivers hands-on first aid and CPR courses to help people live and work safely across the province.
By Kate Rae
(Above) While CPR training is typically renewed every three years, some people benefit from the refresher training offered at Safety First to stay confident and prepared. (Below) After completing his initial first aid training in the military, Craig Munnoch became a licensed instructor over 30 years ago. | PHOTOS: COURTESY OF SAFETY FIRST
At the start of every first aid and CPR course, Craig Munnoch, founder of Safety First, begins with a simple question: Why are you here? In his 30 years of working in the field, he has heard a wide range of responses from participants. “People have had some really scary experiences,” he says. While some participants are there to meet workplace requirements, many have signed up after realizing that, in a crisis, they would have no idea how to respond. With Safety First, Munnoch wants to change that.
Safety training goes beyond a basic first-aid certification
Offering workshops and courses, Munnoch travels across Manitoba teaching anyone who wants to learn the necessary skills to respond to all kinds of emergencies.
A common question is “How long does it take to learn CPR?” Basic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) (Level A) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training can be completed in a half-day course. Those who are interested in how to learn CPR for infants and children require a Level C full-day class. Safety First also offers a range of first aid training: a one-day emergency first aid course, a two-day standard first aid course, and specialized marine and wilderness courses.
“Sometimes people come back because they’ve completely frozen in a real-life situation... and they want to rebuild their confidence.”
First-aid training is a life-long skill
Munnoch recommends people refresh their training every three years, though many return sooner. “Sometimes people come back because they’ve completely frozen in a real-life situation... and they want to rebuild their confidence,” he says. Beyond teaching, he also performs qualitative respirator fit-testing — determining the efficacy of respirators — and helps workplaces identify potential hazards. This starts with a full inventory of materials and ends with clear, practical safety protocols. It’s all part of the same mission: to give people the tools to prevent emergencies when they can, and to respond with confidence when they can’t. CAA
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(From left) While CPR training is typically renewed every three years, some people benefit from the refresher training offered at Safety First to stay confident and prepared. After completing his initial first aid training in the military, Craig Munnoch became a licensed instructor over 30 years ago. | PHOTOS: COURTESY OF SAFETY FIRST
(From top) While CPR training is typically renewed every three years, some people benefit from the refresher training offered at Safety First to stay confident and prepared. After completing his initial first aid training in the military, Craig Munnoch became a licensed instructor over 30 years ago. | PHOTOS: COURTESY OF SAFETY FIRST
At the start of every first aid and CPR course, Craig Munnoch, founder of Safety First, begins with a simple question: Why are you here? In his 30 years of working in the field, he has heard a wide range of responses from participants. “People have had some really scary experiences,” he says. While some participants are there to meet workplace requirements, many have signed up after realizing that, in a crisis, they would have no idea how to respond.
Safety training goes beyond a basic first-aid certification
With Safety First, Munnoch wants to change that. Offering workshops and courses, Munnoch travels across Manitoba teaching anyone who wants to learn the necessary skills to respond to all kinds of emergencies.
A common question is “How long does it take to learn CPR?” Basic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) (Level A) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training can be completed in a half-day course. Those who are interested in how to learn CPR for infants and children require a Level C full-day class. Safety First also offers a range of first aid training: a one-day emergency first aid course, a two-day standard first aid course, and specialized marine and wilderness courses.
“Sometimes people come back because they’ve completely frozen in a real-life situation... and they want to rebuild their confidence.”
First-aid training is a life-long skill
Munnoch recommends people refresh their training every three years, though many return sooner. “Sometimes people come back because they’ve completely frozen in a real-life situation... and they want to rebuild their confidence,” he says. Beyond teaching, he also performs qualitative respirator fit-testing — determining the efficacy of respirators — and helps workplaces identify potential hazards. This starts with a full inventory of materials and ends with clear, practical safety protocols. It’s all part of the same mission: to give people the tools to prevent emergencies when they can, and to respond with confidence when they can’t. CAA