FREE SHIPPING on ALL Books and DVDs! Use Coupon Code LIBRARY0225 at checkout! Shop Now >
10% OFF on ALL Training Supplies! Use Coupon Code HANDSON0225 at checkout! Shop Now >
10% OFF on ALL Emergency Preparedness Supplies! Use Coupon Code PREPARE0225 at checkout! Shop Now >
Your browser's Javascript functionality is turned off. Please turn it on so that you can experience the full capabilities of this site.
RESOURCE CENTER
Behind every American Red Cross training program stands the Scientific Advisory Council - a team of experts dedicated to ensuring that what you learn is based on the latest and best emergency science.
member panel of nationally recognized medical, scientific, aquatics, and academic experts from across the country.
is the reason individuals, corporations, aquatics professionals, emergency responders and healthcare providers and professionals choose the American Red Cross for their training needs.
Every recommendation from the Scientific Advisory Council originates from one of five subcouncils, where the experts take a deep dive into the science behind the latest research.
Covering everything from water safety, to swim instruction and lifeguarding, this sub-council is all about preventing water emergencies, and providing the best teaching, rescue, resuscitation and transport techniques possible to aquatics professionals.
Two sub-councils exist for Resuscitation: Adult and Pediatric. In addition to the study of Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and choking, this sub-council also assesses defribrillation and the best use of Automated External Defribrillators(AEDs).
Studying the emergency medical care of victims before they get to a hospital, this sub-council assesses the training of bystanders and professional emergency responders, whether they're administering aid on land, near water or in remote areas.
Covering the best ways to prepare for emergencies of every kind, from those that occur in the home to the regional disasters, this sub-council studies how to train people to be more resilient after hardship as well as how to keep communities whole and businesses operating. It also addresses how to give acute and chronic medical and mental care to disaster victims and the emergency staff caring for them.
The Education sub-council engages members of every other sub-council to identify effective methods for teaching the skills and procedures of Red Cross courses to individuals, corporations, and professionals. IT also seeks the best ways to help people gain the confidence and desire to step forward and use those skills to provide life-saving care when it's needed most.
Two sub-councils exist for Resuscitation: Adult and Pediatric. In addition to the study of cariopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and choking, this sub-council also assesses defribrillation and the best use of Automated External Defribrillators(AEDs).
The Education sub-council engages members of every other sub-council to identify effective methods for teaching the skills and procedures of Red Cross courses to individuals, corporations, and professionals. It also seeks the best ways to help people gain the confidence and desire to step forward and use those skills to provide life-saving care when it's needed most.
The American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council relies on the latest science-based research to serve as a foundation for our programs and guidelines.
Barriers to Accessing Swim Lessons and Water Safety Information
Barriers to Accessing Swim Lessons and Water Safety Informationfor American Indian and Alaska Native Persons
Evaluating Water Competency Skill Attainment for Children
Evaluation of Water Competency Skill Attainment for Young Children: An Expanded Assessment
Pediatric Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest CPR Study
Hyperthermia
Lightning Safety for Pools
Voluntary Hyperventilation Preceding Underwater Swim(Hypoxic Blackout)
Drowning and Abdominal Thrusts
Jellyfish Stings
Heat Related Illnesses
Water Temperature for Aquatics
Pediatric Tourniquet Use
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing
Hemostatic Agent
Minimum Age for Swimming Lessons
Burn Cooling
Every American Red Cross program is developed to adhere to relevant industry standards and guidelines and is based on emergency care research from around the globe.
Healthcare Guidelines Database
Aquatics Guidelines and Best Practices
CPR Skill Retention
Water Rescue Equipment
In Water Resuscitation Equipment
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD)
Hand Hygiene
Compression Only CPR
Traumatic Brain Injury Osmotic Agents
Follow us on our Science Twitter/X feed @RedCrossScience to learn about our scientific and academic news.
Helping others prevent and prepare for disasters of every size - from household accidents to regional events - is what we do.
May, 2020 | EMS Week 2020: Keep On Keeping On
Read More
May 15, 2020 | Dear Grandma, read this before you visit the little ones
May 5, 2020 | Drownings still occur during quarantine; here's how to get prepared
April 19, 2020 | Coronavirus emergency kit: What you need to survive the pandemic
February 23, 2020 | Is it dangerous to eat right before you swim?
August 29, 2019 | Red Cross Stresses Network Support as Key to Emergency Preparedness
See More Media Mentions
June 11 2018 | There's no such thing as dry drowning, doctors say: 'This whole thing has totally been over-hyped'
September 2017 | When should a First-Aid Prodivider Stop CPR: Answer from the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council
August 15, 2017 | American Red Cross Now Incorporating Tourniquets Into Training
By using rigorous review and the most reliable evidence-based sources, the Advisory Council's work helps increase safety and save lives. Here's how we work:
Sub-council members gather research from around the world.
Experts within the group study the data, evidence, and the science behind the research.
Sub-councils meet continuously to debate and discuss the evidence to decide how, if at all, the information should change their guidelines and Red Cross safety training materials.
Sub-Council recommendations are presented to the full Scientific Advisory Council to discuss, debate, and ratify as appropriate.
Educational materials are updated and changes are communicated to Red Cross instructors and may be shared with the public and media.
Sub-councils meet contuniously to debate and discuss the evidence to decide how, if at all, the information should change their guidelines and Red Cross safety training materials.
Our medical, scientific, and academic Advisory Council experts are at the vanguard of the best science – so you can protect yourself, and others, and provide help when it's needed most.
Nici Singletary
Co-Chair
MD, FACEP
Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Virginia
ILCOR Task Force Member
Joseph W. Rossano
MD, MS, FAAP, FACC
Pediatric cardiologist and Chief of the Division of Cardiology Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Professor, University of Pennsylvania
William D. Ramos
MS, PhD
Sub-Council ChairSAC Nomination Committee
Assistant ProfessorIndiana University
Angela K. Beale-Tawfeeq
PhD, MPH
Director of the Kinesiology Physical Activity ProgramTemplate University of Kinesiology, Director of Education and Research for Diversity in Aquatics
Stephen J. Langendorfer
PhD
Sub-Council Vice Chair
Professor Emeritus; Editor, International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education Bowling Green State University
Bridget L. McKinney
PhD(h), MS, BS
President/CEO PSWAP-Mentoring and Swim Organization, Inc
Linda Quan
MD, FAAP
Sub-Council Senior Advisor
Vice Chair Pediatric Emergency physician, Seattle Children's Hospital Professor, Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine
Peter G. Wernicki
MD, FAAOS
Orthopaedic Surgery, Pro Sports Clinical Assistant Professor, Orhopaedic Surgery, Florida State University, College of Medicine, Medical Advisor of the U.S. Lifesaving Association, Chair of the International Lifesaving Federation's Medical Committee
Jodi Jensen
Assistant Professor Director of Aquatics Hampton University
Kevin M. Ryan
MD, MBA, FACEP
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine Boston University
Tamar L. Levene
MD, MS
Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgeon Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital
Christopher Whipple
M.Ed., NREMT, AqP
President, Whipple Aquatics & Safety Emergency Department Specialist, Masonic Children’s Hospital
Shaun M. Anderson
MBA, ED.D
Norfolk State University Department of Health
Jason Tucker, Assistant Director, Aquatics, Indiana University
Mark D. Miller MS, Assistant Director of Aquatics, Indiana University
Joshua M. Tobin
MD
Sub-Council Chair
ASTM International WK56860 Tourniquet Standard Task Group Liaison; Adjunct Professor, Stanford University Medical Center; Captain, Medical Corps, U.S. Navy
Lynn White
MS, FAEMS
Pre-hospital Guidelines Consortium Liaison
Heatherlee Bailey
MD, FAAEM, FCCM
Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Liaison, Durham VA Medical Center; Society of Critical Care Medicine
Colonel Richard N. Bradley
MD, FACEP, FAEMS
Medical Group Commander, 147th Attack Wing, Texas Air National Guard and Professor of Emergency Medicine and Chief of the Division of Emergency Medical Services and Disaster Medicine at the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth (Houston)ILCOR Task Force Member
Wendell E. Jones
MD, MBA, CPE, FACP
Chief Medical OfficerVeteran's Intgrated Service, Network 17
Catherine Margaret Kuza
American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Liaison; Associate Professor, Associate Director of the Surgical ICU, Director of Trauma Research, University of Southern California
Andrew MacPherson
MD, CCFP-EM, FCFP
Department of Emergency MedicineRoyal Jubilee HospitalCanadian Red Cross Volunteer
Bryan F. McNally
MD, MPH
Professor Emergency Medicine Emory University Executive Director, Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES)
Ira Nemeth
Assistant Professor in Emergency MedicineUniversity Mass Memorial North Medical Center
Lt Col Stephanie Streit
MD, FACS, USAF, MC
Trauma Medical Director, 99th Medical Group, United States Air Force, Nellis AFB, Nevada
Bryan M. White
Col, USAF, MC, MD, FACC, FASE, RPVI
Sarita A. Chung
Director of Disaster Preparedness, Associate Physician, Children’s Hospital, Boston; Assistant Professor in Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Bruce J. Barnhart
MSN, RN, CEP Senior Program Manager
Sub-Council Vice-Chair
University of Arizona, Arizona Emergency Medical Research Center
Brian Appavu
Director, Neurocritcal Care Research, Pheonix Children’s Hospital
Lynn Boyle
MSN, RN, CCRN Nurse Manager, PICU
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Sarah Copple
MSN, RNC-MNN, C-ONQS
Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) Liaison; Manager, Clinical Program Development, AWHONN
Jacqueline Corboy
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Chicago
Iqbal El-Assaad
Pediatric Electrophysiologist, Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital
Julie L. Bacon
MSN-HCSM, NEBC, NPD-BC, CPN, CPEN, CNPT
Chief Flight Nurse, John Hopkins All Children’s Lifeline
Stephen R. Pratt
Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
Nathan P. Charlton
Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine University of Virginia Health SystemILCOR Task Force Member
Elizabeth Hewett Brumberg
Children's Hospital Of Pittsburgh Of UPMC
David Berry
PhD, MHA, AT, ATC, ATRIC, CKTP, GT Certified
Professor Professional Athletic Training Program Director Department of Kinesiology College Health and Human Services
Adelita G. Cantu
PhD, RN, FAAN
Associate Professor University of Texas Health Science Center
Jestin Carlson
MD, MS, FACEP, National Director of Clinical Education
Director of Resident Research and Chair of the Institutional Review Board at Saint Vincent Hospital in Erie, PA.
Deanna Colburn Hostler
DPT, PhD, CCS
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences University of Buffalo
Craig Goolsby
MD, MEd, FACEP, MHCDS
Associate Professor & Vice Chair, EducationScience Director, National Center for Disaster Medicine & Public HealthILCOR Task Force Member
Angela Holian
PharmD, BCPS
Clinical PharmacistUniversity of Virginia
Dr. Vijay Kannan
Regional DirectorIndian Health Service
Amy Kule
MD. FACEP
Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine, Loyola University Medical CenterILCOR Task Force Member
Edward J.McManus
MD, FACP
Member, Selection Committee
I.D. Care, Inc./I.D. Associate, P.A.
Dr. Nathaniel McQuay
Chief of Acute Care SurgeryCleveland Medical Center
S. Robert Seitz
MEd, RN, NRP
University of Pittsburgh Center of Emergency Medicine
Jeffrey S. Upperman
MD, FAAP, FAC
Surgeon-in-Chief as well as chair of the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Matthew J. Levy
DO, MSc, FACEP, FAEMS, NRP
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Howard County Government, Department of Fire and Rescue Services
Aaron M. Orkin
MD MSc MPH PhD CCFP(EM) FRCPC
Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of TorontoCanadian Red Cross Volunteer
Amita Sudhir
Associate Professor, University of Virginia
Yolanda Malone-Gilbert
MD, MBA, FAPA
Chair, Psychiatry National Medical Association Emory University
Tod Schimelpfenig, WEMT, EMT-1, FAWM, Curriculum Director, NOLS Wilderness Medicine Institute
Deborah C. Mandell, VMD, ACVECC, Veterinary Hospital of University of Pennslyvania
Lyle Karasiuk, National Chair, CRC Health Education Council Prevention & Safety, Canadian Red Cross (CRC)
Sarah Witiw, Manager, Learning Solutions Prevention & Safety, Canadian Red Cross (CRC)
Sarah Sargent, VP Risk Reduction and Resilience, Canadian Red Cross (CRC)
Carolyn Tees, Senior Director, Prevention & Safety, Canadian Red Cross (CRC)
Samina Talat, Associate Vice President Health Innovations, Canadian Red Cross (CRC)
Kimberley Slater, Director, Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation (CRC)
Pascal Cassan MD: National Medical Advisor of the French Red Cross, Head of IFRC Global First Aid Reference Centre, ILCOR First Aid Task Force
Michael Kleeman
MA
Scientific Advisory Council Nomination Committee
Senior Research Fellow, UC San Diego
Dr. Steven J. Jensen
DPPD
Advisor and LecturerCalifornia State University
Lauren M. Sauer
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine Department of Emergency Medicine
Samir K. Sinha
MD, DPhil, FRCPC, AGSF
Director of Geriatrics Mount Sinai Hospital and Toronto University Health Network HospitalsCanadian Red Cross Volunteer
Jacqueline Snelling
Ed.M.
Individual & Community Preparedness Division, National Preparedness Directorate, FEMA
Dr. Theodore John Gaensbauer
MD, FAPA, FAACAP
Clinical Pscychiatry Professor University of Colorado
James A. Judge II
BPA, CEM, FPEM, EMT-P
Emergency Management Director Department of Public Protection
Raj Pandya
Vice President, Community Science, American Geogphysical Union
Robert J. Lempert
Principal Researcher, RAND; Professor of Policy and Analysis, Pardee RAND Graduate School; Director, RAND Pardee Center for Longer-Range Global Policy and the Future Human Condition
Shannon Jackson
LCDR, MSC, USN
Medical Service Corps
John Yosaitis
MD, MBA
Director, Georgetown Medical School
Frederick "Skip" M. Burkle, Jr., CEM, BPA, Senior Fellow & Scientist Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, Harvard University
Keith A. Ball, MPS
Nicoda Foster, MPH, PhD(c), Project Manager, Office of the Director of Geriatrics, Sinai Health System and the University Health Network Hospital
Thomas D. Kirsch, MD, MPH, FACEP, Director of National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Professor of Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences
Thomas E. Sather
Ed.D, MS, MSS, CAsP
CDR, MSC, USN
Academic Support (NMTSC), Assistant Professor (USUHS), Navy Medicine Training Support Center
Nicholas Asselin
DO, MS
Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of EMS, Brown University
Rita V. Burke
Associate Professor, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine
Brian Miller
MS, MSEd, Med, CHES
Program DirectorHealth Sciences ChairMary Baldwin University
Gamze Ozogul
Indiana University, School of Education
Jeffrey L. Pellegrino
PhD, MPH, EMT-B/FF, EMS-I
Assistant Professor of Emergency Management & Homeland Security, University of Akron
Austin Haag
PhD, LCDR, MSC, USN
Life Support Medical Director
Defense Health Agency, USAF
Evan Feuer
NRP, CHSOS, CHSE
Parametic Simulation Specialist
Edward J. McManus
our team of nationally recognized experts studies the latest evidence-based data to create training programs to help save lives.
Active Red Cross Instructors can access resources provided in the Red Cross Learning Center Instructor Portal and set your students up for success.
on the science, standards, and regulations behind our programs?
Read the latest from our most recent proceedings.
nationally recognized experts in emergency medicine, aquatics, occupational health, sports medicine, school health, healthcare and EMS response, disaster health and emergency preparedness study the latest proven science - which is the basis for all of our classes and recommendations.
from the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council, on everything from heat-related illness to acute coronary syndrome.
Read the latest from our most recent proceedings
has been developing expert training for medical professionals, first responders, and citizens for 20 years. We can help you find vetted, reliable information your readers, viewers and listeners can count on.
Question:
Answer:
A heart attack occurs
when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is blocked, causing part of the heart muscle to die.
Cardiac arrest occurs
when the heart stops beating or beats too ineffectively to circulate blood to the brain and other vital organs.
The American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council is comprised of doctors, scientists, medical professionals and industry experts who can provide insight and information on natural disaster scenarios, health-related data and more.
Click on the name of the sub-council for information on how to contact an expert.
or email us: media@redcross.org
you can be the difference between life and death. Take a class and learn how to provide care when it's needed most.
Be ready at a moment's notice using the EmergencyFirst Aid App.
you can be the difference between life and death. Take a class and learn how to provide care when its needed most.
Be ready at a moment's notice using the Emergency First Aid App.
Aquatics
Access the new American Red Cross Aquatics Guidelines and Best Practices Database. This database provides the latest evidence and science informed by the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council. It is a searchable online repository that provides users with easy-to-comprehend explanations of Red Cross scientific reviews, aquatic statements and best practices that underpin the entire Lifeguarding program. Read More
It is our goal to educate the public about the risks of hypoxia in the water and help ensure that those we teach do not engage in behavior that could result in loss of consciousness and death. Read More
The Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council fully recognizes the challenges that aquatic facilities are facing with staffing shortages. The following statement provides some context, best practices and potential solutions for those delivering aquatic services. Read More
Resuscitation
Access the new American Red Cross Healthcare Guidelines Database. This database provides the latest evidence and science informed by the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council. It is a searchable online repository that includes more than 160 topics spanning basic, advanced, pediatric and neonatal resuscitation, as well as, resuscitation education science. Users can quickly find the latest Red Cross Guidelines, evidence summaries and insights and implications for each topic. Read More
Preparedness
In partnership with the American Academy of Nursing, attached is an informative SAC white paper with specific recommendations to improve disaster preparedness, response and recovery for older adults... Read More
by Dr. Peter G. Wernicki
As Hurricane Crisobal moves slowly up the Atlantic and Hurricane Marie tears throughthe Pacific, they are bringing high surf to vacation spots along both coasts and tempting surfers and adventurous swimmers to run headlong into the beckoning waves... Read More
Watch as experts from the American Red Cross share their tips for surviving natural disasters, staying safe outdoors, caring for children, and helping those who are injured or ill.
For those interested in submitting a question to the Scientific Advisory Council, please contact the American Red Cross.
The Scientific Advisory Council meets throughout the year. You can easily view the latest research, located within the Resource Center on this page. To access this content, you can go directly to this content above. If there is a specific topic that you do not see, you can submit a question here
American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council members are volunteers who serve on a SAC Sub-Council focusing on training content research, such as First Aid, Aquatics, Resuscitation, Education and Disaster/Preparedness. Each year American Red Cross SAC chairs evaluate appointments and retirements of the SAC Members. They look for people who are particularly active within their field, including academic or practical involvement within their medical field at the local state or regional level. Membership selection is based on an interview and whether a member with a specific knowledge and expertise is needed. For those who share in a passion for science, are active in research or clinical work and are interested in becoming a SAC panel member volunteer, please contact the American Red Cross.
You can also volunteer at the local Red Cross chapter level. You can learn more at help.
The American Red Cross invites emerging scholars to apply for a Fellowship in Evidence-Based Programming with the Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council (SAC). The Red Cross developed this fellowship to assist our national volunteer SAC and promote the development of critical professional competencies among emerging scholars to make immediate and long-term positive impacts on health and safety. Individuals from any field are eligible to apply but those in fields of medicine, disaster management, athletic training, community or health education, public health, or public policy may find specific connection of this fellowship to their curriculum.
To apply, please download the application here Download the Scientific Advisory Council Fellowship Program Application .
Over the last 20 years, the Scientific Advisory Council has worked with organizations far and wide. And while they number into the thousands, there are a select few that we communicate with again and again - and we think you might also like to get to know them too.
Emblems and logos are used with permission of each organization.
Follow us on our Science X feed @RedCrossScience to learn about our scientific and academic news.
Stay in the know with the latest information from the Scientific Advisory Council. Sign up for our quarterly newsletter, and get research data and insights directly from the Council.
