What We Do
The ACT Foundation is an award-winning national charitable organization that is establishing free CPR and AED programs in Canadian high schools. The ACT High School CPR Program is built on ACT’s community-based model of partnerships and support, whereby CPR training mannequins and AED training units are donated to schools and teachers are trained (Train the Trainer model) to teach all students. Schools take ownership and maintain the program as it enters the realm of a national standard by our education system. The program is seeing youth across the country empowered with lifesaving skills and knowledge they take to their present and future families and communities. Many lives are being saved. Canada is a world leader in high school CPR.
Teacher Updates
Video teaches recognition of SCA in athletes
All physical education and health teachers, coaches, and all who work in athletics should see this powerful 2-minute video by Dr. Jon Drezner.
Safety protocols for teaching Compression–Only CPR
The Heart and Stroke Foundation’s safety protocols for teaching Compression-Only CPR (also known as Hands-Only CPR) during COVID-19
Award Nominations
Rescue Stories
Youth and teachers who have been trained through the ACT High School CPR and AED Program are stepping forward and using their lifesaving skills in a wide range of emergencies involving family, friends, and strangers. Many lives are being saved.
Countless Lives Saved
Best friends step up to save woman with CPR
Tyler and Levi were trained in the ACT High School CPR and AED Program and knew what to do
Basketball coach saves student with CPR and an AED
A Grade 10 student is alive today thanks to the quick provision of CPR and the use of an AED by his basketball coach Mike Rowley, of St. Mother Teresa High School.
Toronto teacher saves student’s life with AED
When one of his top students collapsed in gym class, Jeff knew how to reACT…
Our Impact Across Canada
The ACT Foundation has established the High School CPR Program in over 1,800 high schools across Canada, and is now enhancing the CPR Program with AED training.
Get ACT in Your School
Students learn the 4 ‘Rs’ of CPR: RISK factors for heart disease and stroke, and the importance of a heart-healthy lifestyle; how to RECOGNIZE the warning signs of a heart attack, stroke, or other developing emergency; how to REACT; and the hands-on skill of CPR, how to use a defibrillator, and the airway obstruction manoeuvre – RESUSCITATION. Schools own the program. High school teachers teach. Mannequins come from the community. Schools maintain over the long term. It is easy to set up and easy to maintain.
Contact the ACT Foundation to find out how.
Become a Partner
The ACT High School CPR and AED Program is built on an award-winning, community-based model of partnerships and support, whereby ACT finds local partners who donate training mannequins, AED training units, teacher training, and AEDs to schools.
For partnership opportunities and to learn how your organization can promote health and wellness, empower youth to save lives, and support the health of Canadian communities, contact us.
Our National Health Partners
ACT in the News
Hydro One and the ACT Foundation present Rescuer Awards to two Sudbury teenagers for their bravery and side-of-the-road heroics
Best friends use CPR skills to save the life of a Sudbury woman who suffered from cardiac arrest
Hydro One provides support to the ACT Foundation to expand the new Opioid Overdose Response Training to 80 per cent of Ontario high schools
New data reveals that only 18 per cent of Ontarians are confident they could help someone experiencing a suspected opioid overdose
Quick-thinking coach helps save teen at basketball practice in Ottawa
A quick-thinking coach trained in the use of CPR and a defibrillator helped save the life of a teenager during a basketball practice at St. Mother Teresa High School in Barrhaven.
Government of Canada announces $20 million to help communities respond to increasing opioid-related overdoses
Projects will provide training and awareness on opioid overdose response to 2.4 million Canadians and enable the distribution of 58,000 naloxone kits.