What is a Chain of Survival in first aid?
La Survival Chain refers to a series of steps to follow when faced with a victim who is suffering from a health emergency, such as a heart attack or cardiorespiratory arrest. The application of this series of actions is also called Basic vital support.
Carrying out these steps correctly will increase the victim's chances of survival and reduce the damage and sequelae it may cause.
The importance of the Chain of Survival
In our daily life, whether in the work or family environment, we can witness emergency situations in which immediate action must be taken in order to guarantee the survival of the person affected.
We tend to think that only those people who suffer from cardiovascular diseases can be affected and, this is not the case, these episodes can appear suddenly without any prognosis prior to their appearance since they are considered non-traumatic pathologies.
Therefore, it is vital to be able to recognize respiratory paralysis in timeKnowing how to activate medical aid by notifying the emergency services and, until they arrive, knowing how to perform CPR correctly in order to help the victim. All this can make us links in the chain of survival and, if one of these is broken or not executed correctly, the probability of survival of the victim decreases considerably.
How to carry out the Chain of Survival
The way to proceed when carrying out this Chain of Life, must respect due order in order to provide a correct application of the techniques and safe emergency aid to the affected person.
Acknowledgment and request for help
We will suspect that a victim is suffering from a heart attack or heart attack when they have severe pain in the center of the chest, radiating to the arms or other parts of the body, feel dizzy and sweat profusely. In this case or if we find a victim who is not breathing; we will immediately activate the emergency services by calling 112. We will suspect cardiorespiratory arrest in all patients who convulse.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
To maintain the chain of survival in the event of a cardiorespiratory arrest, we will immediately start the Basic Life Support (SVB) maneuvers, performing CPR with quality chest compressions and rescue breaths.
automated external defibrillation
In most cardiorespiratory arrests, the most effective treatment for the patient is to perform an electric shock (defibrillation) with an AED. This will make the heart able to function normally again.
For every minute it takes us to carry out the electric shock, the chances of survival decrease by approximately 10%. Carrying out defibrillation within 3-5 minutes after arrest can achieve survival of up to 50-70%.
Post resuscitation care
After performing a successful BLS, the presence of medical personnel is necessary to perform advanced cures to restore the patient's quality of life. More information about training in basic life support and cardioprotection of spaces.
