Someone trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation keeps the victim's blood flowing until defibrillation can begin. Early Defibrillation . Someone trained in defibrillation shocks the victim as quickly as possible. Early Advanced Care . Medical personnel provide advanced cardiac care which can include airway support, medications, and hospital services.
Studies show that the most critical link in the chain is defibrillation.
CPR increases the odds CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a crucial part of the Chain of Survival. An emergency procedure, CPR is used when someone stops breathing or his or her heart stops. As with defibrillation, anyone can learn to perform this simple procedure. CPR can double a sudden cardiac arrest victim's chance of survival if it's begun before defibrillation. A first responder is the one most likely to arrive first to the scene of a medical emergency.