Chain of Survival
Chain of Survival
If someone suffers from cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting, the chances of survival are affected by a series of time critical events. It is crucial that first aiders recognise signs of sudden cardiac arrest and respond quickly to maximise the chances of survival.
The chain of survival concept identifies four key links in a sequence for which the first two are directly impacted by the actions of a bystander or first aider and contribute to survivability.
The four links in the Chain of Survival are:
- Early recognition and call for help.
- Early CPR & defibrillation with an AED.
- Advanced & post resuscitation care by specialists.
- Survival and longer term recovery support.
Current survival rates in the UK for cardiac arrest in the community, when no CPR is provided is only 4.3%.
Survival if CPR is provided can be as high as 13.6%.
Calling for an emergency ambulance, providing effective CPR and administering a shock from an AED as soon as physically possible remains the most effective treatment for out of hospital cardiac arrest.
