Resuscitation science has evolved over centuries. An early milestone occurred in 1732, when a Scottish surgeon performed the first documented mouth-to-mouth technique to artificially ventilate and resuscitate a coal miner. Modern resuscitation science, as we know it today, accelerated in the 1950s and 1960s, when researchers refined techniques such as mouth-to-mouth ventilation (or rescue breaths) and chest compressions, and CPR was formally introduced as a groundbreaking method to save lives.
Yet, despite the critical role of resuscitation in addressing cardiac and breathing-related emergencies, there had been no global consensus on best practices. Emergency practices varied across countries, leading to inconsistent care and inconsistent patient outcomes.
A unified response: The birth of ILCOR
That changed in November 1992 when six international organizations representing their countries came together to advance resuscitation science globally. They formed the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation, or ILCOR. The acronym comes from the Latin word cor, meaning “heart,” and reflects ILCOR’s mission to help heal ill hearts around the world.
As the representative Canadian body, Heart & Stroke – then officially known as the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada – joined forces with the American Heart Association, European Resuscitation Council, Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation, Inter American Heart Foundation and Resuscitation Council of Southern Africa.
Over time, ILCOR expanded its membership to include the Resuscitation Council of Asia and, more recently, the Indian Resuscitation Council Federation and the first collaborating organization, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies – driven by the same shared belief that resuscitation science, CPR techniques and treatment recommendations should transcend geographical borders.
Heart & Stroke continues to be Canada’s voice on the global stage, connecting leading Canadian resuscitation experts to ILCOR’s international work, supporting evidence reviews, building consensus and developing treatment recommendations that inform emergency responses worldwide.
Advancing protocols and practices to save more lives
ILCOR’s mission is vital – increasing survival rates from cardiac arrest and breathing-related emergencies around the world. To meet this challenge, ILCOR performs continuous, rigorous and transparent review of scientific literature that focuses on resuscitation, cardiac arrest, relevant conditions requiring first aid, related education, implementation strategies and systems of care (which ensure the coordinated support of the medical emergency through recovery to ensure the best possible treatment for the patient).
These reviews have led to impactful changes in resuscitation care and practices, with Heart & Stroke playing a leading role in this progress. Some highlights include:
- CAB (compressions, airway, breathing) sequence: Placing the emphasis on compressions to ensure that oxygen-carrying blood continues to flow to the brain and other vital organs.
- High-quality chest compressions: Establishing clear standards for depth, rate and chest recoil to improve survival outcomes.
- Hands-only CPR: A simplified technique designed to encourage bystander intervention.
- AED accessibility: Expanding public access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in workplaces and community spaces.
- Post-cardiac arrest care: Emphasizing recovery, temperature management and neurological monitoring.
- Systems of care: Supporting patients from arrest through recovery with rehabilitation, psychosocial support, peer networks and provider education.
- 10 Steps to Improve In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (IHCA): A framework to enhance in-hospital cardiac arrest outcomes through leadership, training, equipment, mock codes, case reviews, post-arrest care, person-centered support and staff well-being.
Canada’s ongoing leadership in resuscitation
More than three decades later, ILCOR continues to be the global authority on resuscitation science, and Heart & Stroke plays a vital role in this process.
Since 2015, ILCOR has operated under a continuous evidence evaluation model, enabling near-real-time updates to resuscitation science. While evidence is reviewed continuously, ILCOR also publishes formal treatment recommendations annually and a summary publication every five years for CPR, emergency cardiovascular care (ECC) and first aid. These recommendations are based on the latest scientific findings and are adapted by each member council to suit their local healthcare systems. In Canada, Heart & Stroke serves as the guideline-setting body.
By translating global science into evidence-based guidance tailored for Canada, Heart & Stroke and its dedicated group of volunteer physicians, clinicians, researchers and educators ensure that resuscitation guidelines reflect the latest international consensus while meeting the unique needs of the Canadian healthcare system. Our guidelines introduce protocols that underpin how resuscitation is taught and performed across the country. They inform national training programs, shape institutional policies and guide emergency response – from bystanders to healthcare professionals – in critical moments.
But Heart & Stroke’s leadership, in partnership with Canada’s leading health experts, people with lived experience and their families, and other organizations, extends well beyond guideline development.
Some key Heart & Stroke initiatives include:
- Expanding our commitment to peer-reviewed, life-saving research to drive new knowledge and innovation in resuscitation science.
- Developing and overseeing gold-standard resuscitation training programs for healthcare professionals and the public who are trained by our nationwide network of 9,000 instructors – making Heart & Stroke one of the largest providers of resuscitation education in Canada.
- Creating CardiacCrash, an innovative, award-winning resuscitation program that teaches foundational CPR and AED skills, for integration in schools and communities across the country.
- Introducing tens of thousands of Canadians to the simple, life-saving steps of doing CPR and using an AED through media and public awareness campaigns.
- Advocating to all levels of government for greater education and awareness support around cardiac arrest that includes increasing the number of people in Canada who learn CPR; improving AED access, availability and awareness; and encouraging quality improvement in emergency response systems.
Heart & Stroke’s leadership in resuscitation reflects a deep and ongoing commitment to science, innovation and collaboration. Through our work with partners nationally and internationally, we continue to advance the understanding, teaching and delivery of emergency care to strengthen patient care and improve outcomes across Canada and around the world.
