Section headings

Key content / considerations

OHCA – incidence

• To discuss about the incidence of OHCA in Europe in the context to the situation of the other part of the world.

OHCA - characteristics and presenting rhythms

• To evaluate the characteristics of the cardiac arrest, with an especial focus on the presenting rhythms, also evaluating eventual differences among different countries;

OHCA - EMS organisation

• To evaluate differences concerning EMS organization in different countries, looking especially to the different EMS response time.

OHCA - Community response

• To evaluate the community response (i.e. bystanders and First Responders) in the different European countries in an epidemiological shape highlighting also the differences among different contexts.

OHCA – Outcome

• To analyse the patients’ outcome after an OHCA in the European countries, also in the context to the situation of the other part of the world.

OHCA – Paediatric population

• To evaluate the peculiar aspect of OHCA in children focusing also the incidence and the outcome.

IHCA – Incidence

• To evaluate the incidence of IHCA in the European countries.

IHCA - Response organization

• To discuss about the system configuration to detect critical illness and to respond to an IHCA, also looking to the response times.

IHCA – Outcome

• To evaluate the outcome after an IHCA taking into account the different patients’ characteristics and ILCOR Ten-Steps for IHCA.

Long-term survival and return to society - Measurement of outcome and recovery

• To look at the different reporting systems for outcome and patients’ recovery after a cardiac arrest.

Long-term survival and return to society - Rehabilitation and return to society

• To evaluate the different pathways in European countries for patients’ rehabilitation after a cardiac arrest with a special focus to the return to society.

Genetic variants in cardiac arrest patients

• To explore the impact of genetic and epigenetic factors in the predisposition of patients to cardiac arrest.

Low Resource Settings and Remote Areas

• Evidence on epidemiology the lower-resource setting on resuscitation success and activities. Addresses the challenges and strategies for cardiac arrest response in areas with limited resources or in remote areas.

Section headings

Key content / considerations

Chain of Survival & the Formula of Survival

• Description of the traditional chain of survival and revised representation. Discusses the critical steps and strategies needed to increase the survival rate from cardiac arrest.

Measuring the Performance of Resuscitation Systems

• The evidence available to improve survival is based on the quality indicators and cardiac arrest management models. Focuses on evaluating how effective resuscitation systems are in saving lives (e.g. dashboard, data registry to improve survival).

EMS Organization in Response to Cardiac Arrest

• Look at how Emergency Medical Services are structured and operate during cardiac arrest (e.g. Role of dispatcher, Dispatch-assisted CPR, Dispatch-assisted chest compression-only CPR compared with standard CPR, etc.).

First Responders

• Highlights the role and importance of the initial responders to a cardiac arrest (e.g. FRs community, engagement, apps).

Awareness Campaign to Promote CPR

• Evidence available on awareness of the community with the activities of the ERC campaigns. Describes efforts to increase public knowledge and skills in CPR (e.g. ERHD, WRAH, UEFA, EFA, etc.).

Advocacy and Survivors

• Evidence available on advocacy. Focuses on advocacy for better cardiac arrest management and the experiences of those who have survived cardiac arrest (e.g. advocacy and laws at EU levels, survivors’ community and awareness).

Kids Save Lives (KSL)

• The evidence available on awareness in Europe and outside Europe with the activities of the KSL campaign. The schoolchildren training about CPR and first aid techniques (e.g. Europe map, experiences in Europe, ILCOR narrative review).

Low Resource Settings and Remote Areas

• Evidence on activities in the lower-resource setting to improve survival. Addresses the challenges and strategies for cardiac arrest response in areas with limited resources (e.g. ILCOR review and collaboration with other LR scientific societies, etc.).

Rapid Response Systems and In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

• The evidence available on the implementation of NEWS, RRS and MET to improve survival. Explores the systems in place within hospitals to quickly respond to cardiac arrests that occur within their facilities. (e.g. NEWS and ILCOR In-hospital publication, etc.).

Cardiac arrest centres

• Evidence on CAC dedicated to the treatment and management of cardiac arrest patients (e.g. update about CAC, ILCOR, joint statement with other scientific societies, etc.).

Social media

• Evidence on social media's role in improving science and survival communication. Looks at how social media platforms are used in the context of cardiac arrest awareness and response (e.g. experience with the use of SoMe, the good communication of science and education with SoMe, etc.).

New Technology and Artificial Intelligence

• Evidence on the new technologies to survival. Examines the emerging role of technology and AI in improving responses to cardiac arrest and resuscitation efforts (e.g., wearable devices, big data, wide monitoring, AI, etc.).

Section headings

Key content / considerations

Adult BLS sequence

• Summary algorithm

Cardiac arrest recognition

• How to recognize cardiac arrest; how to open the airway; Unconscious and not breathing normally, agonal breathing; Convulsions and confusion with epileptic seizure.

Alert emergency services

• How to summon help; Prioritization of initial tasks; Single emergency number; using smartphone in hands free mode.

Role of dispatcher

• Dispatcher recognition CA; Video assisted dispatch; Dispatcher assisted CPR; Dispatch of lay responders; Dispatch of AEDs; Using AI to improve recognition.

Chest compressions

• How to deliver chest compressions (position of rescuer, hand position, rate, depth, duty cycle, recoil, alternating rescuer).
• CPR feedback technology including smartphones and watches

Rescue breaths

• How to assess; How to manage the airway; How and when to do rescue breathing; compression ventilation ratio.

AED

• What is an AED; Evidence on outcome; How to find an AED including smartphone apps; How and when to use an AED; Where to place AEDs?; role of drones in AED delivery.
• Intervals/timing; Compressions before defibrillation Fully automated AED; Safety of AEDs; AED signage; Limited information on in-hospital AED use; shaving the chest; pad size; emphasis on correct placement/positioning of pads.

CPR quality measurement

• Importance of measuring rate, depth, recoil, pauses for quality of care and outcome. Role of smart technology (phones/watches etc.).

Safety

• Risk to lay responders (fatigue, risk of defibrillation, disease transmission, psychological); Risk to person receiving CPR (persons in arrest and persons NOT in arrest); welfare of responders; welfare of bystanders; ethical challenges.

Foreign body airway obstruction

• Recognition and treatment, (both for responsive and unresponsive persons) including: Backslaps; Abdominal Thrusts; Chest compressions; Use of suction and other devices intended to manage airway obstruction.

Extended scope for individuals with a duty to respond (firefighters, life guards etc)

• Supraglottic airways.
• Bag valve mask ventilation and ventilation feedback devices.
• Mechanical CPR devices.
• Vector change.
• Naloxone.

Low Resource Settings and Remote Areas

• Advice (maybe good practice statement) on implementation, response and practice of BLS in lower-resource setting. Addresses the challenges and strategies of BLS in areas with limited resources or in remote areas.

Section headings

Key content / considerations

Prevention of cardiac arrest

• Prevention of in-hospital cardiac arrest.
• Prevention of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Treatment of cardiac arrest

• Treatment of in-hospital cardiac arrest [IHCA ALGORITHM].
• ALS considerations for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest including transport to cardiac arrest centres (overlap with systems).
• ALS ALGORITHM.
• NEW 2025 – ALS Witnessed and closely monitored cardiac arrest in clinical settings (overlap with special circumstances).
• NEW 2025 – CPR induced consciousness.

Defibrillation

• Manual v AED.
• Safe and effective defibrillation.
• Energy levels and number of shocks.
• Recurrent or refractory VF [including double shock].
• Paddles v pads.
• NEW 2025 – Anticipatory charging.
• Waveform guided defibrillation/monitoring during compressions.
• Patients with ICDs.

Airway and ventilation

• Basic versus Advanced (SGAs v TT, DL v VL).
• Correct tube placement.
• Optimal ventilation strategies/oxygen.
• Ventilator v bag.
• NEW 2025 – FONA [front of neck access].

Drugs and ​​fluids

• Parenteral access [IV, IO, IM]
• Vasopressor drugs [adrenaline, vasopressin, noradrenaline].
• Antiarrhythmic drugs [amiodarone, lidocaine, beta-blockers].
• Thrombolytic drugs.
• Fluids (crystalloid, colloid, blood/blood products).
• Other drugs (steroids, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, atropine).

Monitoring and investigations during ALS

• Waveform capnography during advanced life support.
• Use of ultrasound imaging during advanced life support.
• NEW 2025 – Physiology guided CPR (including continuous arterial BP).
• NEW 2025 – Brain monitoring (NIRS, EEG).

Devices

• Mechanical chest compression devices.
• ITD
• NEW 2025 –Head-up CPR (overlap BLS).
• NEW 2025 – ventilators - synchronised compressions].
• NEW 2025 –REBOA.
• NEW 2025 – Intra-arrest cooling (overlap post resuscitation care).

ECPR

• ECPR align with ERC/Euro ELSO/ESICM guideline.

Peri-arrest arrhythmias

• Tachycardia [+ ALGORITHM].
• Bradycardia [+ ALGORITHM].

Organ donation

• 'Uncontrolled' organ donation after circulatory death.

Debriefing

• Debriefing (overlap topic systems).

Duration of ALS/Termination of Resuscitation

• When to stop ALS.

Low Resource Settings and Remote Areas

• Advice (maybe good practice statement) on implementation, response and practice of ALS in lower-resource setting. Addresses the challenges and strategies of ALS in areas with limited resources or in remote areas.

Section headings

Key content / considerations

Recognition and management of critically ill children 

• Assessment of the seriously ill or injured child.
• Management of the seriously ill or injured child.
• Management of respiratory failure: general approach (AB).
• Management of status asthmaticus.
• Management of anaphylaxis.
• Management of circulatory failure [C].
• Management of neurological and other medical emergencies [D] [E].
• Status epilepticus. 
• Hypoglycaemia.
• Hypokalaemia and Hyperkalaemia.
• Hyperthermia.

Paediatric basic life support

• Sequence of actions in PBLS.
• Rescuers only trained in adult BLS.
• Untrained lay rescuers.
• Use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).
• PBLS in case of traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA).
• Recovery position.
• Paediatric foreign body airway obstruction (FBAO).

Paediatric advanced life support

• Sequence of actions in PALS.
• Defibrillation during paediatric PALS.
• Oxygenation and ventilation during PALS.
• Measurable factors during PALS.
• Special circumstances and reversible causes in PALS.
• Traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA).
• Hypothermic arrest.
• Extracorporeal life support.

Post resuscitation care and post-discharge care for paediatric patients after CA and their families

Low Resource Settings and Remote Areas

• Advice (maybe good practice statement) on implementation, response and practice of PLS in lower-resource setting. Addresses the challenges and strategies of PLS in areas with limited resources or in remote areas.

Section headings

Key content / considerations

Introduction

Algorithm

• Algorithmic approach to resuscitation.

Epidemiology

• Need for resuscitation and interventions.

Education

• Methods of training in resuscitation.

Preparation, Briefing Human Factors

• Difference between home deliveries and hospital (including risks). Equipment, environment and personnel to successfully resuscitate babies, non-technical skills (Human factors).

Thermal control

• Hypo/hyperthermia, optimal methods of keeping warm and measuring temperature.

Cord clamping

• Which babies benefit from delayed cord clamping, optimal timing and methods, benefit/harms. Clamping vs milking.

Initial Actions and assessment

• Stimulation and assessment of babies at birth including colour, tone, breathing, heart rate and how these help determine the approach adopted during resuscitation/stabilization.

Airway

• Optimal position to establish and maintain an airway and Interventions to alleviate physiological and physical airway obstruction including suction. Interventions for aspiration, including the use of surfactant and/or lavage.

Breathing

• Need for respiratory support; optimal timing, methods, sequence.

Airway adjuncts Assisted ventilation devices PEEP/CPAP

• Airway adjuncts (e.g. oropharyngeal airway/nasal airway/supraglottic device/tracheal tube), positive pressure respiratory support (e.g. Self-inflating bag/Flow-inflating bag/T-piece), indications and methods for positive pressure (PEEP/CPAP) (e.g. Face Mask/Nasal Prong).

Air/oxygen

• Use of supplemental oxygen and the differences between preterm and term babies.

Monitoring

• Monitoring including saturation, ECG, end tidal CO2 and flow/volume monitoring.

Cardiac Compression

• Indications and methods for providing circulatory support through cardiac compressions, ratios between compression and ventilation, determining an effective response, continuous or synchronized after intubation.

Vascular access

• Indications, optimal methods for securing vascular access (e.g. umbilical vein, intraosseous needle).

Drugs & Fluids

• Indications for drugs used during resuscitation including adrenaline, bicarbonate, fluids, blood and glucose.

Special Circumstances

• Condition specific guidance for managing transition in identified conditions e.g. surgical abnormalities, cardiac problems.

Discontinuing/ Withholding

• Withholding and/or discontinuation of resuscitation.

Post resuscitation care Prognosis

• Post resuscitation care including glucose management and the use of therapeutic hypothermia.

Parent communication Debriefing

• Management of and communications with parents and relatives.
• Managing the team and any debriefing following resuscitation.

Ethics

• The ethical dimensions surrounding resuscitation of the new-born.

Low Resource Settings and Remote Areas

• Advice (maybe good practice statement) on implementation, response and practice of NLS in lower-resource setting. Addresses the challenges and strategies of NLS in areas with limited resources or in remote areas.

Section headings

Key content / considerations

Trauma

• Differences in TCA, role of chest compressions, HOT principles.

Anaphylaxis

• Management and prevention of CA, Based on existing and updated guidelines.

Electrolytic Disorders

• Update on management of CA in electrolyte disorders, Hyperkalaemia and all relevant electrolytic disorders.

Hypothermia

• Management of CA in hypothermic pts., Avalanche, drowning, ECMO, low resource/remote & urban areas.

Hyperthermia

• Management of CA pts in hyperthermia, include hyperthermic syndromes: malignant hyperthermia (not a focus), malignant neuroleptic & serotoninergic syndromes.

Asthma, COPD

• Management and prevention of CA, Based on existing and updated guidelines.

Toxic agents

• Management and prevention of CA due to toxic agents, antidotes, elimination, removal.

Thrombosis

• Management of pts in CA caused by pulmonary Embolism & Coronary thrombosis.

Cardiac arrest in OR

• Specific problems in General surgery (+laparoscopic/robotic), Prone position, Cath Lab, Cardiac surgery, LVAD/BIVAD patients, Local Anaesthetic Toxicity Syndrome.

Dialysis

• Differences in management of CA pts during dialysis, prevention and follow up.

Pregnancy

• Management of CA in pregnancy, amniotic embolism.

Obesity

• Relevant additional problems in obese CA patients.

EMS transport + Inflight emergencies

• Management of CA during EMS transportation and inflight.

Sports

• Management of CA in sports, include football awareness programs.

Drowning and Water rescue

• Management of CA in drowning pts, based on ILCOR statement.

ECPR, Mechanical chest compressions

• ELSO-ERC collaboration.

Low Resource Settings and Remote Areas

• These are special circumstances per se. Advice (maybe good practice statement) on implementation, response and practice in lower-resource setting. Addresses the challenges and strategies in areas with limited resources or in remote areas.

Section headings

Key content / considerations

Post-cardiac arrest syndrome

• Will draw on material from the recent ILCOR brain injury review.

Diagnosis of cause of cardiac arrest

• To included relevant investigations – including pan CT.

Airway and breathing

• Oxygenation and ventilation targets.

Circulation

• To include PCI, BP targets etc.

Disability

• To include temperature control and control of seizures.

General Intensive Care Management

• Nutrition, infection control etc.

Prognostication

• Including all aspects of multimodal approach.

Withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy

• Timing and indications. Will link with ethics section.

Long-term outcomes

• All aspects of long-term outcome including societal participation.

Rehabilitation

• Latest evidence for impact of rehabilitation programs.

Organ donation

• Will draw on some of the ILCOR Organ Donation paper.

Investigating sudden unexplained cardiac arrest

• This will be expanded from the 2021 guidelines to include latest recommendations.

Cardiac arrest centres

• Although this is covered in systems we will have a short section to link to that chapter.

Low Resource Settings and Remote Areas

• Advice (maybe good practice statement) on implementation, response and practice of post-resuscitation care in lower-resource setting. Addresses the challenges and strategies of post-resuscitation care in areas with limited resources or in remote areas.

Section headings

Key content / considerations

Introduction

• The medical educational foundation to teach and learn resuscitation: expanding the GL2021 with new evidence.

Resuscitation education for different target groups:

• Explores resuscitation training's nuances across different demographics, focusing on unique challenges in low-income regions, disparities in education, the EMS's role, specialized BLS training for high-risk groups, and the impact of team-based CPR training on patient outcomes.

Resuscitation education tailored for different providers

• Discusses the customization of resuscitation education, its prevalence, and the necessity for mandatory programs. It covers diverse sectors, including water rescue, in-hospital cardiac arrest responses, and specialized training for dental professionals.

High-quality resuscitation skill development

• Examines comprehensive approaches to resuscitation education, emphasizing the role and importance of feedback devices, varied instructional methodologies, and the integration of spaced and blended learning for skill mastery.

Technology-enhanced resuscitation education

• Investigates the role of innovative technologies in resuscitation education, including immersive simulations, gamification, and cognitive aids to enhance learning outcomes and provider readiness.

Simulation-based resuscitation training

• Details the application of in-situ and high-fidelity simulations in resuscitation training, highlighting their effectiveness in replicating real-world scenarios and enhancing procedural proficiency.

Faculty development to improve education for resuscitation

• Addresses the development of resuscitation instructors, focusing on managing provider workload, and stress, and fostering team competencies to improve training quality.

Impact of resuscitation education on clinical outcomes

• Reviews evidence linking resuscitation education to improved patient outcomes, including the role of family presence during adult resuscitation, the establishment of cardiac arrest centres, and public willingness to perform CPR.

Debriefing and feedback in resuscitation education

• Emphasizes the importance of structured debriefing and feedback, comparing different approaches and their effectiveness in reinforcing learning and improving resuscitation performance.

Assessment strategies for resuscitation competences

• Summarizes the current literature on assessment methods within resuscitation training programs, providing insights into effective evaluation practices and future directions. (conclave results or outlook on conclave results).

Research in education and gaps and future directions in educational research.

• Based upon upcoming ILCOR statement on Educational Outcomes

Low Resource Settings and Remote Areas

• Advice (maybe good educational statement) on implementation, response and practice of education resuscitation in lower-resource setting. Addresses the challenges and strategies of education in areas with limited resources or in remote areas.

Section headings

Key content / considerations

Advance directives and advance care planning - DNACPR/DNR

• OHCA, IHCA, Paediatrics

When to stop/when to transport

• OHCA, IHCA, Paediatrics

When and how to involve family/relatives/other in (shared) decision making

• OHCA, IHCA, Paediatrics (diversity throughout Europe: law, religion, organisation, socio-economics)

Patient and family representatives

• TBD (e.g., official representatives of organisations, societies, clubs, etc.)

Ethical challenges of bystanders and first responders involvement

• Bystanders: Good Samaritan law; possible psychological consequences
• Ethical considerations for first responders

Research

• Interventional and non-interventional research (all settings)

Education/Systems

• Narrative review-based, updated guidance concerning patient outcomes, education and system organisation

Low Resource Settings and Remote Areas

• Advice (maybe good practice statement) on implementation, response and practice of ethics in resuscitation in lower-resource setting. Addresses the challenges and strategies of ethics in areas with limited resources or in remote areas.

Section headings

Key content / considerations

Definition of first aid

• Differentiate first aid into trained first aiders, first aid on duty, first aiders on scene

Being a first aider

• Legal aspects and common reactions/feelings about doing harm, meeting a person appearing dead and its relatives

Mental health crisis

• First aid when a person has suicide thoughts or in a suspected suicide attempt

Drowning

• Initial actions in water and on land incl. rescue breaths and CPR

Prevention

• Pre-syncope and Counter-Pressure Manoeuvres
• Recognition of stroke
• Recovery position and position of victims in shock
• Prevention of hypothermia
• Recognition of concussion

Medical emergencies

• Airway foreign body, initial actions such as back blows, abdominal thrusts and when to call for help
• Anaphylaxis, recognition and initial treatment with adrenaline (epinephrine)
• Use of supplemental oxygen and pulse oximetry in dyspnoea, stroke and known COPD
• Bronchodilator administration for asthma (incl. harm of)
• Chest pain/symptoms of arrhythmias incl. initial treatment with aspirin
• Management of hypoglycaemia
• Intoxication incl. treatment with nasal naloxone
• Management of heat stroke/hyperthermia by cooling
• Snake bite- (only European once needing antidote)

Trauma emergencies

• Control of life-threatening bleeding with pressure bandage, haemostatic agents, and tourniquets
• Basic airway manoeuvres- jaw thrust
• Cervical spine motion restriction (for trained first aiders)
• Management of open chest wounds
• Cooling of thermal burns
• Eye injury from chemical exposure
• Preservation of amputated body part

Low Resource Settings and Remote Areas

• Advice (maybe good practice statement) on implementation, response and practice of FA in lower-resource setting. Addresses the challenges and strategies of FA in areas with limited resources or in remote areas.