The survival rate of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest remains incredibly low at 1% worldwide.
This is an alarming statistic.
And survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest depends on what happens before the arrival of Emergency Medical Services at your door.
So how prepared are you for this unexpected life event?
The three steps of the sudden cardiac arrest ‘Chain of Survival’ are as follows:
- Recognising sudden cardiac arrest, and calling emergency services.
- Immediately starting CPR – ideally while another person finds and retrieves the nearest AED (automated external defibrillator).
- Rapid defibrillation.
Done quickly, these three steps can buy time for emergency services to arrive. Every moment counts.
The ‘Chain Of Survival’ is critical to help save a life, here’s how you can prepare to deliver the first three steps:
Be ready to call for help
If someone collapses, is unresponsive and is not breathing normally (i.e. ‘agonal breathing’), it’s time to call emergency services.
Once connected, the operator will quickly assess the situation and explain what to do next.
Many people hesitate at this early stage. That hesitation reduces the amount of time available to help the patient survive – moments matter when it comes to sudden cardiac arrest.
The faster you call, the better the chances of survival!
Be ready to perform CPR
Do you know CPR? If you’ve been trained, have you maintained that training?
Knowing the correct way to perform quality CPR can make all the difference in saving a life.
In the event of a sudden cardiac arrest, CPR buys time. This counts because there is so little time available to save someone in sudden cardiac arrest.
Learning CPR, and finding time to maintain your CPR awareness, is an investment – not only in your future, but in the future of others.
Be ready to defibrillate
Do you know where your nearest AED is?
Do you know how to find one in an emergency?
Knowing where your nearest AED is kept is one of the best ways you can prepare to help in an emergency
Many apps, such as GoodSAM, offer free access to AED location maps in areas. Finding an AED map for your local area and keeping it handy, is a good start to maintaining AED awareness.
Once you know where an AED is, are you ready to use one?
CPR and First Aid Training covers AED awareness. If you are in a position where you need to use one, the EMS operator will also talk you through it.
Taking the time to familiarise yourself with AEDs will make all the difference if and when you find yourself in a position to help someone in sudden cardiac arrest.