If a sudden cardiac arrest victim isn t defibrillated within 10 minutes, his or her chance of survival is less than 2 percent. The chance of survival will drop even further if CPR isn t begun before the defibrillator arrives. If the heart isn t restarted within the first four to six minutes after the arrest, the victim may sustain irreversible brain damage. In 1990, the American Heart Association introduced a treatment model for victims of sudden cardiac arrest called the Chain of Survival. It outlines the specific sequence of events that need to happen for a victim to survive and recover from sudden cardiac arrest.
Someone suspects or determines the victim is in sudden cardiac arrest and calls for help.
Someone trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation keeps the victim s blood flowing until defibrillation can begin. 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 .