The Chain of Survival

Dr Richard Cummins from Seattle, USA, discovered that if a series of events took place in a set sequence, a heart attack victim has a greater chance of survival.  These events are known as th 'Chain of Survival'

• Early Access to the patient, including early recognition of the condition and call for help. Chance of survival increases by 5%
•  Early Basic Life Support (Rescue Breathing and External Chest Compressions) Chance of survival increases by 10%
• Early Defibrillation (An electric shock to restart the heart) Chance of survival increases by 75%
• Early Advanced Life Support (Drug therapies to maintain condition)

Community First Responders are trained in providing the first three events in this chain.