The Website of Vale First Responders - VFR is a Community First Responder group
In association with East Midlands Ambulance Service
Covering The Vale of Belvoir - North Leicestershire and South Nottinghamshire
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Vale First Responders is a charity registered in England and Wales number 1115596 - to see our registration details, click HERE
The chain of survival
Thirty years ago, it was discovered that if a series of events took place, in a set sequence, a patient suffering
from a heart attack stood a greater chance of survival. These events are now known as the 'Chain of Survival'.
from a heart attack stood a greater chance of survival. These events are now known as the 'Chain of Survival'.
When Sudden Cardiac Arrest strikes, an immediate 999 call is crucial; a delay of just a few minutes could prove
fatal. By quickly recognizing a medical emergency, a bystander can help save a life.
fatal. By quickly recognizing a medical emergency, a bystander can help save a life.
Could you recognize the symptoms of Sudden Cardiac Arrest ?
Unresponsiveness
Loss of consciousness
Lack of pulse
Cessation of breathing
Sudden Cardiac Arrest is not the same as a heart attack. However, a victim of either condition requires an
immediate 999 call.
Loss of consciousness
Lack of pulse
Cessation of breathing
Sudden Cardiac Arrest is not the same as a heart attack. However, a victim of either condition requires an
immediate 999 call.
CPR or Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is the second link in the Chain of Survival; it is the link that can buy life-saving
time between the first link (Early Access to Emergency Care) and the third link (Early Defibrillation).
time between the first link (Early Access to Emergency Care) and the third link (Early Defibrillation).
During Sudden Cardiac Arrest, the heart twitches irregularly most often due to ventricular fibrillation (VF) and
cannot pump oxygenated blood efficiently to the brain, lungs, and other organs. The victim quickly stops breathing
and loses consciousness.
cannot pump oxygenated blood efficiently to the brain, lungs, and other organs. The victim quickly stops breathing
and loses consciousness.
However, prompt CPR can help sustain life during VF. The mouth-to-mouth breathing and chest compressions
help oxygenated blood flow to the person's brain and heart, until defibrillation can attempt to restore normal
heart pumping.
help oxygenated blood flow to the person's brain and heart, until defibrillation can attempt to restore normal
heart pumping.
Although it is an important link in the Chain of Survival, CPR alone cannot fully resuscitate a person in SCA. Early
defibrillation is the third and perhaps most significant link. Most SCA victims are in ventricular fibrillation (VF), an
electrical malfunction of the heart that causes the heart to twitch irregularly. Defibrillation, the delivery of an
electrical shock to the heart muscle, can restore normal heart function if it occurs within minutes of SCA onset.
When CPR and defibrillation are provided within eight minutes of an episode, a person's chance of survival
increases to 20%.
When these steps are provided within four minutes and a paramedic arrives within eight minutes, the likelihood
of survival increases to over 40%.
defibrillation is the third and perhaps most significant link. Most SCA victims are in ventricular fibrillation (VF), an
electrical malfunction of the heart that causes the heart to twitch irregularly. Defibrillation, the delivery of an
electrical shock to the heart muscle, can restore normal heart function if it occurs within minutes of SCA onset.
When CPR and defibrillation are provided within eight minutes of an episode, a person's chance of survival
increases to 20%.
When these steps are provided within four minutes and a paramedic arrives within eight minutes, the likelihood
of survival increases to over 40%.
The fourth link in the Chain of Survival is advanced care. Paramedics and other highly trained EMS personnel
provide this care, which can include basic life support, defibrillation, administration of cardiac drugs, and the
insertion of endotracheal breathing tubes. This type of advanced care can help the heart in VF respond to
defibrillation and maintain a normal rhythm after successful defibrillation.
provide this care, which can include basic life support, defibrillation, administration of cardiac drugs, and the
insertion of endotracheal breathing tubes. This type of advanced care can help the heart in VF respond to
defibrillation and maintain a normal rhythm after successful defibrillation.
