The Chain of Survival
How To Increase The Chances Of Survival For Victims Of Sudden Cardiac Arrest
According to research, the chances of survival after suffer an outside-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest are less than 10 percent. However there are steps one can take as a bystander to increase those odds significantly for victims around you. The actions you take before medical professional arrive on the scene, very often, can mean the difference between life and death for cardiac arrest victims. The ideal steps bystanders should take the moment they realize someone around them is succumbing to a cardiac arrest are referred to as the ‘Chain of Survival’. This consists of calling 911, administering CPR and using an automatic external defibrillator (AED).
The Chain of Survival
The Chain of Survival, or the actions bystanders can take to increase a cardiac arrest victim’s chances of survival before they get to a hospital, is comprised of three steps:
- Realizing a person is suffering, or is about to suffer, a cardiac arrest
When a person suddenly collapses and loses consciousness, there is a good chance their heart has stopped beating normally. This is also likely the case if you notice that the person is having difficulty breathing or is not breathing at all. If their actions indicate they’re suffering acute chest pain, get ready to administer CPR.
- Call 911 and Apply CPR
As soon as it’s evident the person is suffering from a cardiac arrest, yell for help; if there is someone else nearby who can help, tell them to call 911 or your local emergency response number and find an AED if available. If you are alone, call 911 first and grab an AED.
If the person isn't breathing or is only gasping, administer CPR. The most critical component of CPR is applying timed chest compressions on the victim’s breastbone. Push down on the chest by two inches at a rate of 100-120 a minute; allowing it to come back up to its natural position after each compression.
- Defibrillation using an AED
Once you have access to the AED, turn it on immediately and follow the instructions (these are usually either visual, audible, or both). AEDs are designed to be used by the general public in emergencies, and non-medical personnel can use them safely. You do not need special or formal training to use an AED. The AED will have a build-in computer that checks the victim's heart rhythm and decides whether a shock should be deployed. In some models, such as the Philips HeartStart Home, that shock is deployed automatically.
Continue to administer CPR until emergency medical services arrive.
About The Myra Logan Heart Fund
AEDs save lives. Of the 424,000 cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests that happen annually in the United States, only 10% of victims survive. The chances of survival increase from 6% to 74% if an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is used to deliver shock therapy within three to five minutes of a heart attack, but tragically only a tiny fraction of cardiac arrest victims in the United States ever get the immediate help they need.
The Myra Logan Heart Fund’s mission is to get an AED into every home, office and school. Its purpose is to educate the public about the importance of AEDs, increase their accessibility, and empower people to save lives.