Can you revive someone with CPR alone?

When someone suffers a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), every second counts. Immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can double or even triple the chances of survival. By manually pumping the chest, CPR keeps blood, and with it, oxygen, flowing to the brain and vital organs until further help arrives.

But here’s the key question: is CPR alone enough to bring someone back?

Understanding Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Sudden Cardiac Arrest happens when the heart’s electrical system malfunctions, causing it to stop beating effectively. As a result, blood flow ceases, breathing stops, and the person quickly loses consciousness. Without swift action, brain damage and death can occur within minutes.

It’s important to distinguish SCA from a heart attack. While the symptoms can overlap, a heart attack is usually caused by a blockage in a coronary artery, depriving the heart muscle of oxygen. A heart attack can sometimes lead to SCA, but they are not the same event.

Warning signs of SCA may include:

• Sudden collapse or loss of consciousness
• No normal breathing (or gasping/agonal breaths)
• Chest discomfort or pain
• Dizziness, fatigue, or shortness of breath in the lead-up

Why CPR Alone Isn’t Enough

CPR is absolutely vital, it buys time by keeping oxygen moving through the body. However, it does not restart the heart. The underlying problem in most cardiac arrests is an abnormal heart rhythm (such as ventricular fibrillation), and only one thing can reset that rhythm: a defibrillating shock.

That’s why early defibrillation is the real game-changer. Without it, survival chances remain slim, even with high-quality CPR.

The Role of an AED (Automated External Defibrillator)

An AED is the only device that can deliver that life-saving shock. Thankfully, AEDs are designed to be simple and intuitive, and anyone, even without training, can use one. The device itself will:

• Give clear voice instructions
• Assess the heart’s rhythm
• Advise and deliver a shock if necessary

When used quickly, an AED combined with CPR dramatically increases survival rates.

What to Do If Someone Collapses

• Call 999 immediately (or your local emergency number).
• Start CPR - push hard and fast in the centre of the chest at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute.
• Send for an AED if one is nearby.
• Follow the AED prompts as soon as it arrives.

Remember: you cannot harm someone by trying, but doing nothing is far more dangerous.

Imperative’s Mission

At Imperative Training, we believe everyone should feel confident in a life-or-death situation. That is why we provide nationally accredited first aid training, equipping people with the knowledge and skills to save lives when it matters most.

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🌐 Visit us to learn how we can help your team become lifesavers.