If you were present when someone had a cardiac arrest — whether you performed CPR, used a defibrillator, called for help, or simply watched events unfold — this leaflet is for you. Being part of a resuscitation attempt is a profound experience, and one that many people find difficult to process in the days and weeks that follow.
The chain of survival is a concept used in emergency medicine to describe the sequence of actions that give a cardiac arrest victim the best chance of survival. Each link in the chain depends on the one before it, and each person involved — from the bystander who calls 999 to the hospital team delivering post-resuscitation care — plays a vital role.
The four links in the chain
The four links are: early recognition and call for help; early CPR; early defibrillation; and post-resuscitation care. When all four links work quickly and effectively together, survival rates improve dramatically. When one link is missing or delayed, the chances of survival fall sharply.
If you were part of that chain — even if the outcome was not the one you hoped for — you played a genuine and important part. Research consistently shows that bystander CPR significantly increases the chance of survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The fact that you acted matters.
How you might be feeling
People who witness or are involved in a resuscitation attempt often describe a wide range of emotions afterwards — shock, distress, guilt, relief, confusion, or numbness. These are all normal responses to an abnormal situation. Some people find the experience stays with them for a long time. If you are struggling, please know that support is available and that reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness.
SCA UK has a community of survivors, co-survivors, and those who have been part of resuscitation attempts. You are welcome to join us and connect with others who understand what you have been through. Further information is also available on our Resuscitation Attempt page.
Download the leaflet
This leaflet is available as a free PDF download. It is designed to be read on screen or printed, and can be shared with others who were present at a cardiac arrest.