The "Chain of Survival"
(source: American Heart Association and Queensland Ambulance Service)

A cardiac arrest may strike without warning and can occur in both men and women of any age. Typically, a cardiac arrest will involve a person over 40 years of age and occur in or near the person's home. A spouse or family member of the person is the most likely witness to the arrest. Unfortunately, the majority of people who suffer a cardiac arrest do not receive bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

The most common cause of cardiac arrest is heart disease. In Australia, someone dies as a result of heart disease every 10 minutes. The Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) responds to approximately 2500 Queenslanders each year who have had sudden cardiac arrest outside a hospital. As last measured, 5 per cent of these people survive.

In many cases a cardiac arrest is potentially reversible if the person receives help immediately. 

Research shows that a survival rate as high as 20-30 per cent is achievable, provided that each link in the chain of survival is initiated rapidly.

(source: American Heart Association)

The 'Chain of Survival' involves:

• Early Access - to get help

• Early CPR - to buy time

• Early Resuscitation - to restart heart

• Early Advanced Care - to stabilise

Link One of the Chain of Survival: EARLY ACCESS
Recognise an Emergency and Call 000.

First, you or other witnesses must recognise the emergency. You must recognise the warning signs of a heart attack, cardiac arrest, stroke, or choking. Anyone who is unresponsive should receive emergency care. As soon as an emergency is recognised, call 000.

Link Two of the Chain of Survival: EARLY CPR
Begin Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

CPR is the critical link that buys time between the first link (call 000) and the third link (use the AED). The earlier you give CPR to a person in cardiac or respiratory arrest, the greater their chance of survival. CPR keeps oxygenated blood flowing to the brain and heart until defibrillation or other advanced care can restore normal heart action.

To learn CPR, click here to go to the QAS CPR2000 program site.

Link Three of the Chain of Survival: EARLY DEFIBRILLATION
Use the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to Treat VF/VT

The sooner you provide defibrillation with the AED, the better the victim's chances of survival. For every minute that a person in cardiac arrest must wait to be defibrillated, their chance of survival decreases by 10 percent. After 10 minutes, the chances of survival are less than 10 percent.

Samford First Responders are equipped and trained in the use of Automatic External Defibrillators.

Link Four of the Chain of Survival: EARLY ADVANCED CARE
Early Advanced Care

This link is provided by highly trained QAS personnel called "paramedics." Paramedics give basic life support and defibrillation as well as more advanced care. Paramedics give basic life support and defibrillation as well as more advanced care. They can give cardiac drugs and insert endotracheal breathing tubes. These advanced actions (1) help the heart in VF respond to defibrillation or (2) maintain a normal rhythm after successful defibrillation.