The Chain of Survival: Only As Strong As the Weakest Link

 

 

 

Survivors of sudden cardiac arrest usually have several things in common:

In other words, in the ideal situation, there is a strong community Chain of Survival. Early defibrillation has been called the critical link in the Chain of Survival because the time from collapse to defibrillation often is the key indicator of survival from sudden cardiac arrest. But the strength of the early defibrillation link depends on the strength of the the links that precede it. And the strength of these two links depends on EMS system planning and quick bystander action. Let’s take a closer look.