How CPR Guidelines Are Developed

ProTrainings How CPR Guidelines Are Developed

Any professional who needs a CPR certification wants to make sure the training program they use to get certified meets current CPR guidelines. But how are CPR guidelines formed, and who’s in charge of setting them?

While the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Red Cross (ARC) are two of the largest CPR training organizations, offering CPR training and setting CPR guidelines are not necessarily synonymous. Companies like ProTrainings provide a tailored approach to quality CPR training that exceeds CPR guidelines. 

If you’re wondering how CPR guidelines are formed, who’s responsible for setting them, and how organizations like ProTrainings are taking CPR training to the next level, read on to find out.

Who Sets CPR Guidelines?

In times of medical emergencies, performing CPR can be the difference between life and death. But who provides the guidelines and establishes best practices for performing this life-saving technique? 

International Committee on Resuscitation

The International Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) is an international organization that meets every five years to assess the current best practices around CPR. 

At these meetings, studies are shared amongst the committee and then are deliberated to assess the most evidence-based and effective methods for conducting CPR. These guidelines are published and become the guiding principles that inform professionals and civilians alike about the newest standards for CPR.

American Heart Association

The AHA is the United States’ liaison to ILCOR and is responsible for updating the CPR standards. Its role is to provide and pass along guidelines for best practices surrounding CPR set by ILCOR.

Following ILCOR meetings, the AHA publishes its latest guidelines and best practices for providing CPR, which can then be accessed on the AHA website. CPR guidelines are published in 17 different languages and updated every five years — most recently, in 2020. 

Each time the AHA publishes the latest CPR guidelines, companies that provide CPR training must review and update their practices. 

For example, when the ABC model (airway and breathing followed by chest compressions) was updated to CAB (chest compressions followed by airway and breathing), organizations had to replace outdated posters and signage to reflect the update. 

American Red Cross

A common misconception is that the ARC is a third organization responsible for setting CPR guidelines. While ARC does share suggestions and best practices for CPR throughout its messaging, when it comes to how CPR guidelines are formed, the organization is not involved. 

In fact, the ARC suggestions simply mirror best practices that have been established by ILCOR and the AHA. 

How ProTrainings Goes Above & Beyond

At ProTrainings, we go beyond knowing how CPR guidelines are formed and ensuring our training follows all ILCOR and AHA guidelines. We also make it our duty to share the experiences of our professional staff and emergency personnel that have used CPR in the field.

In 2005, ILCOR and the AHA updated their recommendation to discontinue the “shake & shout” guideline due to concerns for victims with spinal trauma. Thanks to his boots-on-the-ground experience, ProTrainings’ cofounder and lead instructor Roy Shaw had already been recommending the much safer clavicle tap since 2004.

It’s experience from professionals like Roy and feedback from our students that helps us assure you’re getting the most current best practices when it comes to the life-saving techniques taught in our CPR courses. 

While the CPR guidelines assure that CPR courses are uniform and provide best practices established by the ILCOR and AHA, it’s important to make sure the program you choose goes above and beyond to prepare you for real-life CPR use informed by instructors who understand what it takes to save a life. 

Contact us today to learn more about how ProTrainings can help you make getting your staff CPR certified easier and more efficient.