Tragically many heart attack patients die when—after ignoring their heart attack symptoms—their heart goes into sudden cardiac arrest.  Almost half of all sudden cardiac deaths occur outside a hospital.  When someone suffers a sudden cardiac arrest, the following elements help increase their chance of survival.  Together, these elements make up the Chain of Survival.

Survival Rates for Sudden Cardiac Arrest
The survival rate for cardiac arrest patients is bleak; the national average for patients who live to be discharged from a hospital is about 5%.  TVF&R’s survival rate is among the top in the nation (ranging from 10.8% to 22.9% in 2007-2009).

• Quick calls to 9-1-1
• Dispatchers instructing callers to perform Hands-Only CPR
• The growing use of AEDs in the region
• TVF&R’s quick EMS response

Hands only CPR: Save a life without mouth-to-mouth (Download this CPR phone app)