HSFC sets Canadian CPR guidelines and gets AEDs into public places

The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada (HSFC) sets the Canadian Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), defibrillation and other aspects of emergency cardiovascular care in Canada. HSFC is a founding member of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR). ILCOR is the international body that reviews emerging resuscitation research and summarizes the latest findings, giving direction on guideline changes when new scientific evidence emerges.  HSFC, in collaboration with the American Heart Association, uses ILCOR's information to continuously update guidelines for North America.

The 2010 Guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care are the most current guidelines and provide the foundation for all HSFC CPR courses in Canada. All HSFC courses incorporate the latest evidence in resuscitation science and training. All CPR training agencies in Canada should refer to these guidelines when developing their own training programs.

Getting AEDs into public places
The goal of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada (HSFC) is to make Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) as available as fire extinguishers in public places across Canada. Progress toward this goal is made possible by donors such as the Boston Pizza Foundation and the Cowan Foundation ($1 million each), Transamerica Life Canada ($200,000), and the first annual National Hockey League Players’ Association Beard-a-thon, which raised more than $190,000 in 2011. Government partners also play an important role.

In 2011, in response to HSFC advocacy efforts, the Federal government announced it would support a $10-million plan to fund AEDs and related training in hockey arenas and community recreation centres coast to coast.

Last reviewed: October 2011
Last modified: October 2011