What life-saving procedure can increase the chance of survival after cardiac arrest by double or triple?

What life-saving procedure can increase the chance of survival after cardiac arrest by double or triple?

• A. CPR
• B. AED
• C. Defibrillation
• D. Tourniquet

Answer: (A)

When the heart stops, the most important need is to keep blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs. CPR does this by chest compressions (and rescue breaths if trained), creating artificial circulation and oxygen delivery until the heart can be restarted or an AED can be applied. Starting CPR right away has a major impact on survival, often roughly doubling or tripling the chances of a successful outcome when performed promptly and correctly. Defibrillation with an AED is crucial for restoring a normal heart rhythm, but it works best when CPR has already been started to maintain circulation in the meantime. A tourniquet helps with severe bleeding and isn’t a treatment for cardiac arrest, so it doesn’t apply here.

When the heart stops, the most important need is to keep blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs. CPR does this by chest compressions (and rescue breaths if trained), creating artificial circulation and oxygen delivery until the heart can be restarted or an AED can be applied. Starting CPR right away has a major impact on survival, often roughly doubling or tripling the chances of a successful outcome when performed promptly and correctly.

Defibrillation with an AED is crucial for restoring a normal heart rhythm, but it works best when CPR has already been started to maintain circulation in the meantime. A tourniquet helps with severe bleeding and isn’t a treatment for cardiac arrest, so it doesn’t apply here.