The chain of survival
It is critical that you follow this chain when you are dealing with a casualty who is not breathing normally.
Early recognition and call for help
Recognise those at risk of cardiac arrest, and call for help in the hope that early treatment can prevent arrest.
Early CPR
Start CPR to buy time until medical help arrives.
Early defibrillation
Defibrillators give an electric shock to reorganise the rhythm of the heart.
Defibrillation within 3 to 5 minutes of cardiac arrest can produce survival rates as high as 50 to 70%.
Each minute of delay to defibrillation reduces the probability of survival to hospital discharge by 10%.
Post-resuscitation care
Provide professional help in order to restore the quality of life.