The number one cause of death in the United States is sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). It strikes people of all ages and all degrees of fitness, and it usually strikes without warning. Many of these lives can be saved if bystanders quickly phone 919/911 and begin CPR, and if trained responders provide defibrillation within minutes.
By choosing to implement an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) program at your facility or place of employment, you have made the commitment to saving lives and to improving the Chain of Survival in your workplace community.
Most often, sudden cardiac arrest is caused by an abnormal heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation (VF) that prevents the heart from pumping blood. Defibrillation is the delivery of an electric shock to the heart that stops VF and allows normal heart rhythm to resume.
In places where AED programs provide immediate CPR and deliver the first shock within 3 minutes after collapse, reported survival rates from ventrical fibrillation cardiac arrest are as high as 74%. Currently only about 5% of all sudden cardiac arrest victims survive in places where no AED programs have been established to provide prompt CPR and defibrillation.
With a strong Chain of Survival in every workplace and community, more lives can be saved.
More people can survive sudden cardiac arrest if bystanders act quickly to start the Chain of Survival. The Chain of Survival consists of the actions needed to treat a life-threatening emergency.
The adult Chain of Survival has 4 vital links:
Early Access – Recognizing that an emergency exists and quickly phoning EMS (Emergency Medical Services). 919 or 911 is the EMS number.
Early CPR – Starting CPR immediately after cardiac arrest. CPR circulates oxygen-rich blood to the brain and heart. It buys time for the victim until defibrillation can be performed.
Early Defibrillation – Defibrillating the victim as soon as the AED arrives. This is most effective within 3 to 5 minutes.
Early Advanced Care – Trained healthcare providers arriving quickly to give advanced care.
In most cases of cardiac arrest, the critical link is Early Defibrillation.
For more information about (AED) Automated External Debibrillators in the Bahamas, call Ports International at 242-377-1771.