What are the chances of survival when using a Defibrillator?

Cardiac arrest is a terrifying prospect. When the heart suddenly stops beating, every passing minute reduces the chances of survival.

Using a defibrillator can significantly improve outcomes and it’s revolutionizing saving lives.
If you’re not in hospital when you have a cardiac arrest, what are your odds of your survival? How about if you had a defibrillator close?

Let’s explore the statistics on how AEDs are saving lives and why having one nearby is so critical.

Cardiac Arrest Survival Rates Without an AED

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) affects nearly 50 people per 100,000 each year in Sydney alone.

Survival rates are dismal – only around 7-8% of people who experience OHCA survive to be discharged from the hospital.

Why so few? Why do only 7 or 8 out of 100 live? A key factor is time to defibrillation. After a cardiac arrest vital organs start to die because they aren’t receiving the needed bloodflow to stay alive. Without rapid treatment, survival declines by 10-12% with each minute that passes.

The Life-Saving Power of AEDs

Here’s where AEDs can dramatically change the equation. When a bystander or trained first responder is able to quickly start CPR and use an AED before paramedics arrive, it’s called public access defibrillation (PAD). Many studies have found that PAD leads to a remarkable increase in survival compared to cases without rapid defibrillation.

Here are some specific examples from studies really drive home the impact of AEDs:

– In a study of casino patrons whose cardiac arrest was witnessed, an incredible 74% survived when defibrillated within 3 minutes. Survival was 49% when the first shock was after 3 minutes. 

– In one real-world study across multiple countries, When response times were under 5 minutes, 30% of patients survived to hospital admission vs. only 16% with slower response.

– Another study found that bystander use of an AED doubled the odds of surviving to hospital discharge compared to waiting for emergency medical services.

So what are the chances of survival when using a defibrillator? These studies have shown it could be up to 74%. That’s a huge difference from the 7-8% that survive at the moment.

Every Second Counts

The clear message is that for cardiac arrest caused by dangerous heart rhythms, quick action with an AED is one of the most powerful predictors of who lives and who dies.

For the best chance, Ideally, defibrillation should happen within 3 minutes of collapse. Having AEDs readily available in public places, workplaces, and even homes is the best way to make that happen.  

As an Australian business, Defibrillators Online is dedicated to making these life-saving devices as widely accessible as possible. Whether it’s for your office, job site, or family, an AED nearby provides immense peace of mind. You never know when tragedy might strike – but with an AED on hand, you’ll be ready to give someone the best possible chance of survival.

We want to help you get a better understanding of what defibrillators do. Let’s learn more about how these lifesaving devices help save lives.