A framework describing the sequence of actions that, when performed quickly and effectively, give a person the best chance of surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The chain has four links: (1) Early recognition and call for help — recognising cardiac arrest and calling 999; (2) Early CPR — bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation to maintain circulation; (3) Early defibrillation — use of an AED or defibrillator to restore a normal rhythm; (4) Early advanced care — handover to paramedics and hospital treatment. Survival rates improve significantly when every link in the chain is strong.
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