The first minutes of a cardiac arrest: what to do

Call 911, start compressions, switch on the AED. The order matters, and you cannot do it wrong.

Three steps

1. Check and call. If someone collapses, does not respond and is not breathing normally, call 911. Send someone to fetch the AED if there is one nearby.
2. Push hard and fast. Start chest compressions in the center of the chest, about two a second, and do not stop until the AED tells you to.
3. Switch on the AED and listen. It tells you where to place the pads, analyses the heart rhythm and only shocks if a shock is needed. The HeartStart metronome sets the pace of compressions.

Every minute without CPR and defibrillation lowers the chance of survival, which is why an AED within reach makes the difference while the ambulance is on its way.

A short CPR and AED course makes the three steps automatic.