The first few minutes are critical to increasing the chance of a successful resuscitation. Resuscitation research continues to evolve, with Surf Lifesavers trained in each of the steps, up to, and including, the handover of care to medical professionals.
The chain of survival comprises:
Early recognition and call for help
Identify, access, and assess the patient. Contact emergency services as quickly as possible to obtain assistance to manage a cardiac arrest.
Early CPR
Commence CPR as soon as possible. CPR is the cornerstone of survival from cardiac arrest, with the first few minutes of a resuscitation key to the chance of survival.
Early defibrillation
Introduce a defibrillator as soon as possible to deliver a shock, if advised, to return the heart to its normal rhythm if needed. Not all patients will need a shock, but the defibrillator will determine who does and does not.
Post-resuscitation care
Promote early access to advanced post-resuscitation care to restore quality of life, e.g., hospital for further assessment.