NoTF is working to increase survival of sudden cardiac arrest, with awareness and training in bystander “hands-only” CPR and the importance of having Automated External Defibrillators (AED) in all public places. When ordinary people, not just doctors, and EMTs, are equipped with the skills to perform CPR, the survival rate can double or even triple.

Fact: Success begins with public bystanders. Communities with higher bystander CPR participation have higher SCA survival rates.

1. Sudden Cardiac Arrest is more prevalent than you think. Statistics show that everyone will at some time in their life be affected, in some way, by cardiac arrest. The general public hears “cardiac arrest” and thinks it only happens to the sick or elderly, but they are sadly mistaken. It strikes the young and old alike, without any signs or warnings.
2. Cardiac arrest is NOT the same as a heart attack. A heart attack is considered a “plumbing” problem, whereas cardiac arrest is an “electrical” problem. A heart attack is when blood flow to the heart’s muscle gets partially clogged or completely blocked, making it impossible for the extremities to receive blood. A heart attack often has symptoms of chest pain, upper body discomfort, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and sweating. There’s a good possibility that a person can take action before there is too much damage.Sudden Cardiac Arrest, on the other hand, has no symptoms. Unlike a heart attack where the heart will continue to try pumping blood, a person in cardiac arrest has no heartbeat. The heart quivers but does not pump. It strikes without warning for a number of different reasons including genetic factors and cardiac abnormalities. The symptoms for cardiac arrest? Sudden collapse, no pulse, no breathing, and loss of consciousness. Your life is in the hands of another person. A shock from a defibrillator is the only thing that can save a person in cardiac arrest.
3. An AED Only Shocks Certain Detectable Heart Rhythms. AEDs have advanced technology that analyzes a person’s heart to check for certain arrhythmias. Only if arrhythmias which cause cardiac arrest are detected, will a shock be delivered. You cannot intentionally or unintentionally hurt someone with an AED.
4. Anyone can use an AED. AEDs are designed to be fool-proof. The AED talks a person through the entire rescue via voice prompts and will give clear, concise instructions. Many AEDs on the market offer fully automatic options, where the rescuer doesn’t even have to push a shock button. Study upon study has shown that AEDs are simple enough for anyone to operate, including children as young as 7 years old.
5. You Only Have 5 Minutes. When Cardiac Arrest strikes, you have 5 minutes before brain damage, and then death occurs. Think about how quickly 5 minutes pass. Quick access to an AED leads to early defibrillation, which dramatically increases the chance of a life being saved. For every minute that passes after a person collapses, the chance of survival decreases by 10%. The more AEDs that are deployed in public facilities, homes, and cars, the more “safe zones” are created. Sudden cardiac arrest survival rates have greatly increased in heart-safe cities, such as Seattle, where implementing AEDs throughout the city is a priority.

Nick of Time Foundation will offer Cardiac Emergency Response Plans that include CPR/AED Awareness and training for communities and schools. By helping communities understand about Sudden Cardiac Arrest and the importance of having a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan, we will significantly reduce the incidence of sudden cardiac death. If you are interested in having an awareness event in your community, please contact info@nickoftimefoundation.org

Check out the latest SCA Awareness Legislation