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| Saving Lives with the Chain of Survival |
| Emergency Care Training is an Authorized Provider of American Heart Association CPR and ECC Courses. |
| © Copyright - Emergency Care Training 2009. All rights reserved. |
| Office: (610) 891-0229 * Fax: (610) 592-9344 * P.O. Box 1455 * Media, Pennsylvania 19063 |
| udden cardiac arrest is a major cause of death in the United States. It claims about 335,000 lives each year. That’s 5 lives every 8 minutes. |
| S |
Sudden cardiac arrest means that the heart stops pumping blood. This can
happen suddenly, without warning. Often it’s due to an abnormal heart
rhythm or a heart attack. There can be other causes of cardiac arrest,
too. Other examples are accidental electrical shock or submersion (near-
drowning).
Right now the survival rate for sudden cardiac arrest is about 5%. If
survival rates from cardiac arrest were increased to 20%, about 40,000
lives could be saved. A strong Chain of Survival can increase a victim’s
chance of survival.
What’s the Chain of Survival? It is an American Heart Association
metaphor that uses the links in a chain to describe the actions needed to
save a victim’s life.
happen suddenly, without warning. Often it’s due to an abnormal heart
rhythm or a heart attack. There can be other causes of cardiac arrest,
too. Other examples are accidental electrical shock or submersion (near-
drowning).
Right now the survival rate for sudden cardiac arrest is about 5%. If
survival rates from cardiac arrest were increased to 20%, about 40,000
lives could be saved. A strong Chain of Survival can increase a victim’s
chance of survival.
What’s the Chain of Survival? It is an American Heart Association
metaphor that uses the links in a chain to describe the actions needed to
save a victim’s life.
♥ Early access
♥ Early CPR
♥ Early defibrillation
♥ Early advanced care
♥ Early CPR
♥ Early defibrillation
♥ Early advanced care
A strong Chain of Survival can help many
victims, including those who have a heart
attack, stroke, or other emergency.
victims, including those who have a heart
attack, stroke, or other emergency.
Early Access
Early access means
♥ Recognizing that a cardiovascular emergency
exists
♥ Immediately phoning Emergency Medical
Services (EMS)
Early access means
♥ Recognizing that a cardiovascular emergency
exists
♥ Immediately phoning Emergency Medical
Services (EMS)
In most communities phoning 911
Elements that strengthen early access are…
Elements that strengthen early access are…
Enhanced 911. This system automatically displays the caller’s
address and phone number on the EMS dispatcher’s computer
screen. This feature reduces response time and helps callers who
speak foreign languages, can’t speak, or don’t know their location.
Improved Addresses in Rural and Urban Areas. Many
communities have delays in emergency response. Why? Because
house numbers aren’t assigned or properly displayed. Designating
clear addresses for all residents lets emergency personnel easily
find them. To implement and use an enhanced 911 system, all
locations in a community must have proper addresses and they
must be properly displayed.
Qualified Emergency Medical Dispatchers (EMDs). Properly
trained dispatchers are more likely to send the right resources. But
there’s even more they can do. Often callers don’t know — or can’t
remember — what to do in an emergency. Allowing dispatchers to
give CPR (and other medical) instructions by phone enables callers
to care for victims until help arrives. Without trained EMDs, victims
may face delays that could mean the difference between life and
death.
give CPR (and other medical) instructions by phone enables callers
Awareness of early warning signs. Early access only happens
if you know who to call and when to call. Many people deny (or
don’t know) the symptoms of a cardiovascular emergency. Instead
of phoning 911 first, some people call loved ones or their own
doctor. This wastes precious time. That’s why everyone needs to
learn the warning signs and to call 911 first.
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the “movie heart
attack,” where no one doubts what’s happening. But most heart
attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often the people
affected aren’t sure what’s wrong and wait too long before getting
help. Here are some of the signs that can mean a heart attack is
occurring.
Warning signs of a heart attack:
♥ Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the
center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or that goes
away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure,
squeezing, fullness, or pain.
♥ Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can
include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck,
jaw, or stomach.
♥ Shortness of breath. This feeling can occur with or without chest
discomfort.
♥ Other signs. These may include breaking out in a cold sweat,
nausea, or lightheadedness.
If you suspect someone is having a heart attack, tell the victim to
sit quietly and phone 911 or your local emergency services
number immediately. Many people will not admit that they may be
having a heart attack. They may make excuses or want to call
their own doctors first.
address and phone number on the EMS dispatcher’s computer
screen. This feature reduces response time and helps callers who
speak foreign languages, can’t speak, or don’t know their location.
Improved Addresses in Rural and Urban Areas. Many
communities have delays in emergency response. Why? Because
house numbers aren’t assigned or properly displayed. Designating
clear addresses for all residents lets emergency personnel easily
find them. To implement and use an enhanced 911 system, all
locations in a community must have proper addresses and they
must be properly displayed.
Qualified Emergency Medical Dispatchers (EMDs). Properly
trained dispatchers are more likely to send the right resources. But
there’s even more they can do. Often callers don’t know — or can’t
remember — what to do in an emergency. Allowing dispatchers to
give CPR (and other medical) instructions by phone enables callers
to care for victims until help arrives. Without trained EMDs, victims
may face delays that could mean the difference between life and
death.
give CPR (and other medical) instructions by phone enables callers
Awareness of early warning signs. Early access only happens
if you know who to call and when to call. Many people deny (or
don’t know) the symptoms of a cardiovascular emergency. Instead
of phoning 911 first, some people call loved ones or their own
doctor. This wastes precious time. That’s why everyone needs to
learn the warning signs and to call 911 first.
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the “movie heart
attack,” where no one doubts what’s happening. But most heart
attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often the people
affected aren’t sure what’s wrong and wait too long before getting
help. Here are some of the signs that can mean a heart attack is
occurring.
Warning signs of a heart attack:
♥ Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the
center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or that goes
away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure,
squeezing, fullness, or pain.
♥ Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can
include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck,
jaw, or stomach.
♥ Shortness of breath. This feeling can occur with or without chest
discomfort.
♥ Other signs. These may include breaking out in a cold sweat,
nausea, or lightheadedness.
If you suspect someone is having a heart attack, tell the victim to
sit quietly and phone 911 or your local emergency services
number immediately. Many people will not admit that they may be
having a heart attack. They may make excuses or want to call
their own doctors first.
Calling 911 will bring other rescuers who can provide basic and
advanced life support. EMS personnel can begin caring for the
victim as soon as they arrive and can treat any complications of a
heart attack while on the way to the hospital. Your call also will
increase the likelihood that the victim will receive the newest
treatments. EMS can alert the hospital about the arrival of a victim
with a heart attack. The hospital will then be better prepared to
administer drugs such as clotbusters that may dissolve the clot
and stop or reduce heart damage. But new drugs are effective only
if they are given within the first few hours after the onset of
symptoms of a heart attack. That’s why it is important to act
quickly and start the Chain of Survival.
Another emergency situation is cardiac arrest. Time is extremely
critical in cardiac arrest. It is important to immediately recognize
the signs and symptoms and take action.
Signs of cardiac arrest:
♥ Collapse and unresponsiveness
♥ Normal breathing stops
♥ Loss of signs of circulation (no normal breathing, coughing, or
movement)
Early CPR
Early CPR means giving CPR promptly and properly when it’s
needed. When CPR is performed, rescue breathing and chest
compressions circulate oxygen rich blood to vital organs. This
buys time for the victim until defibrillation (the next link in the
Chain of Survival) can be given. This Early CPR link is stronger
when bystanders or callers know CPR and EMDs can give CPR
instructions by phone.
advanced life support. EMS personnel can begin caring for the
victim as soon as they arrive and can treat any complications of a
heart attack while on the way to the hospital. Your call also will
increase the likelihood that the victim will receive the newest
treatments. EMS can alert the hospital about the arrival of a victim
with a heart attack. The hospital will then be better prepared to
administer drugs such as clotbusters that may dissolve the clot
and stop or reduce heart damage. But new drugs are effective only
if they are given within the first few hours after the onset of
symptoms of a heart attack. That’s why it is important to act
quickly and start the Chain of Survival.
Another emergency situation is cardiac arrest. Time is extremely
critical in cardiac arrest. It is important to immediately recognize
the signs and symptoms and take action.
Signs of cardiac arrest:
♥ Collapse and unresponsiveness
♥ Normal breathing stops
♥ Loss of signs of circulation (no normal breathing, coughing, or
movement)
Early CPR
Early CPR means giving CPR promptly and properly when it’s
needed. When CPR is performed, rescue breathing and chest
compressions circulate oxygen rich blood to vital organs. This
buys time for the victim until defibrillation (the next link in the
Chain of Survival) can be given. This Early CPR link is stronger
when bystanders or callers know CPR and EMDs can give CPR
instructions by phone.
Early Defibrillation
Early defibrillation means delivering an
electric shock to the heart within minutes of
a cardiac arrest. Defibrillation is performed
with a device called a defibrillator.
Early defibrillation means delivering an
electric shock to the heart within minutes of
a cardiac arrest. Defibrillation is performed
with a device called a defibrillator.
Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are user-friendly,
computerized defibrillators. They use voice prompts to lead a
rescuer through the steps of defibrillation. Trained rescuers can
use AEDs to give a potentially lifesaving electrical shock to a victim’
critical link in the adult Chain of Survival. That’s because it’s the
best way to successfully treat most cardiac arrests. Defibrillation
delivers a shock to the heart to stop the abnormal heart rhythm
and allow a normal rhythm to resume. Time is critical. If a normal
heart rhythm isn't restored in minutes, the person will die. In
fact, for every minute without early CPR and rapid defibrillation,
the chances of survival drop 7% to 10%. After 10 to 12 minutes of
cardiac arrest, there is little chance of survival.
Traditionally EMS personnel have provided defibrillation. However,
quick EMS response isn’t always available. Even the best EMS
systems are delayed by heavy traffic, secured buildings, and gated
communities. Large building complexes and high-rises also pose
problems. In some communities and facilities, EMS personnel or
traditional first responders with AEDs can’t reach cardiac arrest
victims within the critical four minutes after collapse. For these
situations, the American Heart Association advocates establishing
automated external defibrillator (AED) programs.
computerized defibrillators. They use voice prompts to lead a
rescuer through the steps of defibrillation. Trained rescuers can
use AEDs to give a potentially lifesaving electrical shock to a victim’
critical link in the adult Chain of Survival. That’s because it’s the
best way to successfully treat most cardiac arrests. Defibrillation
delivers a shock to the heart to stop the abnormal heart rhythm
and allow a normal rhythm to resume. Time is critical. If a normal
heart rhythm isn't restored in minutes, the person will die. In
fact, for every minute without early CPR and rapid defibrillation,
the chances of survival drop 7% to 10%. After 10 to 12 minutes of
cardiac arrest, there is little chance of survival.
Traditionally EMS personnel have provided defibrillation. However,
quick EMS response isn’t always available. Even the best EMS
systems are delayed by heavy traffic, secured buildings, and gated
communities. Large building complexes and high-rises also pose
problems. In some communities and facilities, EMS personnel or
traditional first responders with AEDs can’t reach cardiac arrest
victims within the critical four minutes after collapse. For these
situations, the American Heart Association advocates establishing
automated external defibrillator (AED) programs.
AED programs equip lay
rescuers with AEDs and train
them to perform CPR and use
AEDs. This helps ensure that
the people most likely to
arrive first at a medical
emergency are equipped to
help. These people include
firefighters, law enforcement
facility staff, and retirement
community workers, among
community workers, among
others.others.
rescuers with AEDs and train
them to perform CPR and use
AEDs. This helps ensure that
the people most likely to
arrive first at a medical
emergency are equipped to
help. These people include
firefighters, law enforcement
facility staff, and retirement
community workers, among
community workers, among
others.others.
The American Heart Association recommends that AED programs
♥ Have medical oversight to help ensure quality control
♥ Work together with the local EMS system
♥ Train designated rescuers in Heartsaver® AED (a CPR and AED
training program)
♥ Use and maintain AEDs according to the manufacturer’s
directions
♥ Have medical oversight to help ensure quality control
♥ Work together with the local EMS system
♥ Train designated rescuers in Heartsaver® AED (a CPR and AED
training program)
♥ Use and maintain AEDs according to the manufacturer’s
directions
| To learn more about implementing an AED program in your community or workplace, call 1-877-CPR-0229, or visit www.emergencycaretraining.net |
Early Advanced Care
Early advanced care means having qualified paramedics and other
healthcare providers respond to cardiac arrests and begin treating
the victim as soon as possible. These professionals can stabilize
people who suffer a cardiovascular emergency. Ideally, advanced
cardiovascular care should be available within minutes of collapse
or the onset of symptoms. This gives victims the greatest chance
of long-term survival.
Early advanced care means having qualified paramedics and other
healthcare providers respond to cardiac arrests and begin treating
the victim as soon as possible. These professionals can stabilize
people who suffer a cardiovascular emergency. Ideally, advanced
cardiovascular care should be available within minutes of collapse
or the onset of symptoms. This gives victims the greatest chance
of long-term survival.
| To learn more about emergency care activities and how you can help make the Chain of Survival stronger in your community or workplace, contact Emergency Care Training by calling 1-877-CPR-0229. |