Last Updated On: September 24, 2024
The number of people who experience death due to Sudden cardiac arrest, is not a huge percentage but not negligible either. Nearly 350,000 Americans die from cardiac arrest every year. Surprisingly, most of these cases happen outside the healthcare facilities and tragically, most victims die. This is where learning the adult chain of survival can be helpful.
Adult chain of survival is a series of essential steps that improves the survival rate after a cardiac arrest. It begins with recognizing the emergency and calling for help to performing effective CPR, and using defibrillation. The chain also includes advanced life support and post-cardiac arrest care.
In this blog, we are going to discuss the importance of emergency management starting from the First step for adult chain of survival. The aim is to provide general information so that any emergency can be handled effectively and key precautions can be taken to increase the chances of survival.
Adult chain of survival is a series of steps that are performed on someone having cardiac arrests. These steps ensure that the The chain of survival includes the following the steps:
Each step in the chain is important and the effectiveness will depend on the timely and proper execution of each step involved. So, let’s discuss the steps:
The first step of the adult chain of survival, early recognition and activation of emergency response, is directly linked to EMS (Emergency Medical Services). This system is responsible for identifying the symptoms of cardiac arrest and calling the emergency number.
This call initiates the EMS system, which is the first step in getting professional help to the scene as quickly as possible. EMS systems are mostly installed in ambulances, and emergency helicopters. These are the first responding vehicles at the emergency scene.
EMS training is important as it provides the knowledge required to become an efficient healthcare practitioner. They turn untrained individuals into highly skilled pre-hospital officials. After undergoing Emergency Medical Service training, they become capable of identifying any healthcare crisis.
Applying an effective EMS is dependent on a few factors such as traffic conditions, efficiency of the dispatch, and the location at which the intended system or treatment is to be applied. These are discussed in detail below:
The second step of the adult chain of survival is early CPR. This step is quite essential as it maintains blood flow all through the organs. There are various types of CPR procedures that can be performed during an emergency. These are discussed below:
The various steps involved in the process of CPR are collectively aimed at bringing the heart to a normal rhythm. The first thing to consider when giving successful CPR is to quickly analyze the situation and have a clear understanding of what measures to take. If the victim is unresponsive then it is best to check for response, pulse, breathing, and other elements which would indicate consciousness.
If the person is not responding, it’s better to call 911. By the time professionals arrive, it’s recommended to lie down the patient on a flat surface and give chest compressions. The importance of Hands-only compression is to keep oxygen flowing through the body and to keep the oxygenated blood flowing through the whole nervous system and the organs.
Bystander CPR is highly effective, particularly in adult cardiac emergencies. It involves performing chest compressions along with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, a combination that has been shown to improve survival rates. The goal is to bridge the gap between the onset of cardiac arrest and the arrival of emergency medical services (EMS). Research indicates that while traditional CPR, which may only include chest compressions, is effective, Bystander CPR offers better outcomes.
Regardless of the method used, the primary goal of CPR is to maintain blood flow to vital organs like the brain and heart, which is essential for restoring the heart’s normal rhythm and reviving the patient. During a cardiac emergency, Bystander CPR is especially valuable because it utilizes the oxygen already present in the lungs, while also sustaining blood circulation.
Defibrillation is the process that restores a normal and healthy heart rhythm in people who experience cardiac arrhythmias. It is a condition in which the heart can beat too fast, too slow, or in an irregular pattern. Defibrillation helps to stop the abnormal heart rhythm and in turn, treat abnormal heart rhythms.
It is a very crucial step in treating medical emergencies and saving lives. It is said that early defibrillation is extremely important because with every minute passing by, the chances of survival keeps on decreasing.
Rapid defibrillation is crucial for quickly treating life-threatening heart problems caused by abnormal rhythms. It plays a key role in the adult in hospital cardiac chain of survival, a concept that emphasizes the importance of timely intervention in saving lives during heart emergencies.
AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is a computerized device that is powered by the use of a battery and uses defibrillator pads that are applied to the chest region. The pads offer electric shocks that are targeted at resetting the heart’s normal rhythm. A regular normal rhythm of the heart is necessary to control oxygenated blood throughout the body.
Understanding why early defibrillation is important starts with recognizing that during cardiac arrest, the heart may lose its ability to maintain a normal electrical rhythm. Without a rapid response, the heart cannot effectively contract and circulate blood. Early defibrillation is crucial because it can quickly restore a normal rhythm and circulation of blood in the body.
Through AED technology, this life-saving intervention becomes straightforward. AEDs monitor the heart’s rhythm and use voice prompts, text messages, and lights to guide rescuers, making it easy for anyone to step in and help, even without prior training.
Emergency Medical Services play a critical role in providing cardiac life support. When a cardiac emergency occurs, EMS professionals are the first responders who quickly assess the patient’s condition and take appropriate action.
This may include using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on-site or transporting the patient to the nearest hospital for further treatment. The primary goal of EMS is to promptly identify and address heart-related issues to ensure the safety and survival of the patient.
The key components included in ALS are:
After stabilizing the patient during the initial response, the focus shifts to providing comprehensive care. If the situation is manageable, treatment can begin in the ambulance. However, if the condition is critical, the patient must be quickly transported to a medical facility.
At the hospital, the advanced equipment and specialized care available greatly enhance the chances of a full recovery. This falls under the adult out of hospital chain of survival measures to ensure that the patient receives the best possible care to optimize recovery and prevent any future complications.
Once a victim is taken to the hospital further treatment becomes easier due to the availability of the various advanced equipment and the overall chances of speedy recovery increase manifolds. The goal is to optimize recovery and reduce the chances of future complications.
Under this step, the major treatments included are:
The cases of cardiac issues are increasing day by day due to lifestyle hazards and increased physiological problems. Therefore, learning the adult chain of survival has become very crucial.
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