The European Resuscitation Council [ERC] recognizes the contribution made to the
organisation by all instructors (including instructor candidates and instructor potentials),
educators (including educator candidates), and course organisers across all courses. The time
and commitment given to teaching is valued by the organisation and there is an understanding
of the value of this to the health care community and in particular to the chance of survival
from cardiac arrest. However, to maintain the integrity and standard of all teaching, there must
be checks and balances in place, which are clear and transparent to all concerned.
This Code of Conduct applies to all instructors (including instructor candidates and instructor
potential), educators (including educator candidates), course organisers and administrators, as
well as to those who otherwise assist on courses held under the auspices of the ERC.
It is important, therefore, that those accredited by the ERC:
• FULLY UNDERSTAND that accreditation and continuing accreditation is dependent on
adhering to this Code as well as completing the necessary requirements for re-certification.
• ENSURE that ERC courses are run in accordance with its Course Rules currently in force,
including the use of (online, pdf, or printed) manuals, blended learning tools, and other
materials to ensure that consistent standards of knowledge and skills are achieved.
• BEHAVE, at all times, while participating in courses, or social events related to courses
which are run under the auspices of the ERC, in a responsible manner and adhere to the
European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, as
well as any other applicable professional codes of conduct.
• COMMUNICATE in a polite and constructive manner, with the orientation of finding
solutions to issues.
• PRIORITISE the learning experience of the participants when balancing interests of
different stakeholders.
• OPERATE within the social media environment and other online platforms in a professional
manner that does not bring the ERC, by association or otherwise, into disrepute.
• CO-OPERATE with other faculty colleagues (teaching and administrative) and recognise
and respect their individual contributions.
• UPHOLD the reputation of the ERC at all times by promoting the guidelines, values and
work of the ERC in order to maintain the trust and confidence of the members and wider
public. Where there is a difference of opinion in relation to ERC guidelines these should be
addressed through the Guideline process.
• AVOID any abuse of their position.
Any data collected during ERC courses is confidential and those accredited by ERC to teach on
its courses must ensure that the information is kept confidential, and that candidate, instructor
and/or centre confidentiality is not compromised. Any photographs must be taken only with
the full informed consent of the subjects. Those accredited by ERC to teach on its courses must
adhere to appropriate data protection regulations.
The ERC has a zero tolerance to all forms of discrimination. Those accredited by ERC to teach
on its courses must not discriminate, or make unfair judgments on grounds of race, colour,
religion, gender, nationality, ethnic origins, language, age, political conviction, sexual
orientation, or disability.
Failure to comply with any aspect of this Code of Conduct may result in loss of accreditation by
the ERC. In addition, any conduct that brings ERC into disrepute, either through instructional
or professional error, or misconduct, may also result in loss of accreditation by ERC.