CPR Classes on the Danforth: For Riverdale, Leslieville, and the Beaches
Walking distance from Coxwell Station. Same certification as downtown, none of the commute.
If you live in Riverdale, Leslieville, the Beaches, Greektown, Pape Village, or anywhere along the Danforth, the closest CPR class is at 1774 Danforth Ave, walking distance from Coxwell Station. CPR Level C & AED ($35), Standard First Aid + CPR ($120), and the Free CPR class run weekly — all Canadian Red Cross / Heart & Stroke certified. Private at-home sessions are available across the east end if you’d rather have the instructor come to you.
Why the Danforth venue is the right choice for east-end residents
Most east-end Torontonians defaulted to driving downtown for CPR for years, mostly because they didn’t know there was a closer option. There is. The Danforth venue runs the same Heart & Stroke / Red Cross / Lifesaving Society certified courses as the downtown Spadina venue — same instructors, same equipment, same nationally recognized certificate — but the commute from Riverdale is 10 minutes instead of 30, and from the Beaches it’s 15 minutes instead of 45.
Travel times from east-end neighborhoods
| From | By car | By transit |
|---|---|---|
| Riverdale | ~10 min | ~15 min (subway via Coxwell) |
| Leslieville | ~10–15 min | ~20 min (22 Coxwell or 506 Carlton + subway) |
| Greektown / Pape Village | ~5–10 min | ~10 min (subway via Pape or Coxwell) |
| The Beaches | ~10–15 min | ~25 min (22 Coxwell or 64 Main) |
| Danforth Village | ~5 min | ~5 min (walk or quick subway hop) |
| East York proper | ~5–10 min | ~15 min |
Which CPR class do you actually want?
- CPR Level C & AED ($35, ~4 hours) — the most popular for parents, community members, and anyone who just wants the skill. Covers adult, child, and infant CPR, AED use, and choking response, per current Canadian Red Cross / Heart & Stroke (ILCOR 2025) guidelines.
- Free CPR C & AED ($0, ~4 hours) — same content as the paid CPR C class, just no cost. Spots fill up fast; check the Free CPR page for upcoming dates.
- Standard First Aid + CPR ($120, ~14 hours over 2 days) — adds wound care, burns, fractures, and medical emergencies. The right choice if your workplace requires it (WSIB-approved).
- Private at-home session — instructor comes to your home with infant manikins, choking simulators, and an AED trainer. Most popular for new parents who’d rather not travel with a newborn.
For a fuller breakdown of which class to pick, see How Long Is a CPR Course?
New parents in the east end: private vs group
The east end has had a baby boom over the last few years — Riverdale, Leslieville, and the Beaches are filled with new parents who all need infant CPR. Both formats teach the current infant technique correctly: the two-thumb encircling technique (or the heel of one hand) on the lower half of the breastbone, and 5 back blows + 5 chest thrusts for a choking baby — never abdominal thrusts on an infant (Canadian Red Cross / Heart & Stroke, ILCOR 2025). The two formats:
- Group CPR C class on the Danforth — affordable ($35 paid or $0 free), structured, includes adult + child + infant content. You meet other parents.
- Private at-home session — instructor comes to your house, no packing up baby, covers exactly what you want. Most popular for newborns under 3 months.
If you have friends in your prenatal group or your building who’d also like to take it, splitting a private session works out to roughly the same per-couple cost as a group class — see Group Baby CPR for Friend Groups for the playbook. New parents can also review the technique first in our step-by-step baby CPR guide.
What to bring
- Comfortable clothes — you’ll be on the floor doing chest compressions
- A water bottle and snacks
- A pen (everything else is provided)
- For private sessions: just clear floor space — the instructor brings everything
How to book
Pick a date on the East York courses page or, for private sessions, on the private CPR page. East end weekend classes book up faster than weekday slots — if a Saturday or Sunday is full, check the following weekend.
Book a CPR class on the Danforth
1774 Danforth Ave, walking distance from Coxwell Station. CPR C & AED $35, Free CPR $0, private at-home available across the east end.
Sources & medical review
Reviewed by Milos Radojcic (Canadian Red Cross / Heart & Stroke / Lifesaving Society First Aid & CPR Instructor, 10+ yrs; First Aid Instructor Trainer). Course content aligned with the Canadian Red Cross (2025), the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, and the 2025 ILCOR Basic Life Support consensus. Last reviewed July 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the closest CPR class to Riverdale?
1774 Danforth Ave in East York — walking distance from Coxwell Station and about 10 minutes from central Riverdale. CPR Level C & AED courses run weekly.
Is the East York venue good for Beaches residents?
Yes — much closer than driving downtown. About 10–15 min by car or 25 min by transit (22 Coxwell or 64 Main).
Are there free CPR classes in the east end?
Yes — Life Safe runs Free CPR C & AED classes regularly, rotating between Toronto venues including the Danforth. Same content as the paid course, at no cost.
Can I get a private CPR session at home?
Yes — across all east-end neighbourhoods. The instructor brings infant manikins, choking simulators, and an AED trainer; you provide clear floor space.