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The ACR Consortium is an association for individuals, companies, organizations, and agencies united by a single goal: elevating neurologically intact survival after out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest (OHCA). It brings together EMS agencies, medical professionals, and industry partners who collaborate to implement evidence-based, technology- driven cardiac arrest care protocols. 

The ACR Consortium was formally founded in 2020. Its roots trace back to 2009 when Rialto Fire Department launched a Cardiac Survivability Program that produced remarkable outcomes and ZOLL took notice in 2019 and Rialto was featured on the last print edition of JEMS (Journal of Emergency Medical Services) in 2017. Initial membership included Rialto Fire, Lawrence Douglas Fire Rescue Medical, and Naperville Fire. 

 ACR's mission is to achieve 50.1% or greater neurologically intact survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in at least one ACR participating agency, by December 31, 2030. This is measured across all initial rhythms, not just shockable rhythms, making it one of the most ambitious resuscitation targets ever set. 

Under current treatment guidelines, fewer than 10% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients survive without devastating physical or cognitive deficits. This rate has barely changed in 50 years. Contributing factors include inconsistent CPR quality, delayed defibrillation, variability in community response, and the routine use of interventions (like epinephrine) that may actually reduce neurologically intact survival. ACR was created specifically to challenge and change this. 

Mechanical CPR devices provide continuous, uniform compressions that are not subject to human fatigue, variability, or error. While manual CPR quality can degrade quickly especially during transport or prolonged resuscitations,  mCPR maintains consistent high-quality compressions. Studies have found comparable outcomes between mCPR and high-quality manual CPR, while also reducing physical and cognitive stress on care teams. 

Please Note: ACR still advocates for immediate high-quality manual CPR until an mCPR device can be safely deployed.