The four steps of the chain of survival

The chain of survival is a representation of basic management of emergency cardiac events. The best chance a person has of surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is if the following sequence of emergency care can be initiated as quickly as possible.

Early Access

This recognition of the emergency, and calling for urgent medical help as quickly as possible

Early CPR

CPR is a manual life support system that delivers oxygen to the heart, brain and other vital organs to prevent the casualty from becoming hypoxic (lack of oxygen to the tissues, which causes them to start dying).

Early Defibrillation

Delivery of a precise electric shock to the heart by a defibrillator in an attempt to restore normal sinus rhythm

Early Advanced Life Support

Intensive care facilities and the range of life saving drug therapies available can be administered in hospital and, in some cases, in the field

Chain of Survival

Research has shown that the chances of survival from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest can be significantly improved if each of the links in the chain of survival is initiated rapidly

John Furst

JOHN FURST is an experienced emergency medical technician and qualified first aid & CPR instructor. John is passionate about first aid and believes everyone should have the skills and confidence to take action in an emergency situation.

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