CHAIN OF SURVIVAL

In the early 1990’s, the American Heart Association’s CPR and Emergency Cardiac Care (ECC) guidelines adapted the concept of Chain of Survival, a series of actions that improve survival rates in victims of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).

In Hospital Cardiac Arrest (IHCA)

The 5 “links” in this chain are:

• Supervision, prevention and treatment of pre-arrest
• Immediate recognition of SCA and activation of Emergency Response System (ERS)
• Early CPR with emphasis on chest compressions
• Early defibrillation (AED)
• Advanced Life Support (ALS) and post-arrest care

Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA)

 The 5 “links” in this chain are:

• Immediate recognition of SCA and activation of Emergency Response System (ERS)
• Early CPR with emphasis on chest compressions
• Early defibrillation (AED)
• Advanced Life Support (ALS) and post-arrest care
• Comprehensive post-cardiac treatment and care