Early defibrillation within 3 minutes of collapse provides the best chance of survival from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Survival rates drop by 7-10% for each minute defibrillation is delayed. The average emergency response time in the U.S. is 6-12 minutes, but brain damage can occur if the heart is not restarted within 4-6 minutes of SCA. Public access defibrillators can provide lifesaving shocks before emergency services arrive due to average response times exceeding the window for preventing brain damage.

1. Early defibrillation is the key to surviving SCA.
Survival rates for SCA are highest when defibrillation occurs within the first few minutes. The person has
the best chance of survival if the defibrillation shock is given within the first three minutes of collapsing.
But if a defibrillator is not immediately available, the outlook is grim. For each minute defibrillation is
delayed, survival rates drop by about 7-10 percent - even if CPR is started immediately.
o The rate of survival for SCA victims averages less than two percent when defibrillation is
delayed ten minutes or more.
o The average time it takes emergency crews to arrive is between 6-12 minutes.
o If the heart isn't restarted within the first four to six minutes after the arrest, the
Victim may sustain irreversible brain damage.
On average, it takes EMS teams in the U.S. 6-12 minutes to arrive.
To see how this could occur in sudden cardiac arrest, review the following sample scenario:
Time to recognize emergency situation 1 min
Activate internal emergency response 1 min
Call EMS/dispatch vehicle 1 min
Ambulance sent - arrives on scene 6 min
Locate victim, set up & deliver shock 2 min
Total elapsed time = 11 min
Many other external factors can also influence the response time of an EMS unit. These include:
 Traffic and/or weather delays
 Locating the patient, especially if there is an accident or other people involved
 Navigating high rise or other large buildings
 Security delays
 Finding the correct address
AN AED MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE,
S & S REGISTERED NURSE ASSOCIATES, PLLC
4209 #1 Court Royale
Schenectady, New York 12304
(518) 929-3856 or (518) 755-5168
ssregisterednurseassociates@yahoo.com