Some people, such as men over the age of 40, are at greater risk of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), but SCA can affect anyone, even children. Common causes of SCA among children include Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, trauma, accidents, and congenital heart disease.

After undergoing SCA, both infants and children have a much better chance of survival if they receive CPR immediately. However, CPR is only one of the links in what is known as the Chain of Survival.

What Is the Chain of Survival?

The Chain of Survival describes a rapid sequence of events that must occur when someone undergoes SCA to increase his chances of survival. For adults, the chain of survival goes as follows:

• Early Access. Once you recognize the emergency, call 911 to activate emergency medical services.
• Early CPR. Perform CPR until an AED arrives.
• Early Defibrillation. Analyze the victim’s heart rhythm with an AED and administer a shock if necessary.
• Early Advanced Care. Once emergency medical personnel arrive, they will provide advanced cardiac life support to the victim.

Immediate treatment is essential to the survival of an SCA victim, and following the Chain of Survival increases the chance that a victim will receive the treatment and attention he needs. If any links in the Chain of Survival are weak or missing, a victim is less likely to survive. Bear in mind that you only have a matter of minutes to restart the heart.

Why the Chain of Survival Is Slightly Different for Children

The Pediatric Chain of Survival goes as follows:

• Prevention of injuries and cardiac arrest.
• Early CPR.
• Early access to EMS systems prepared for the child’s needs.
• Early and effective pediatric advanced life support.
  

The first link in the Pediatric Chain of Survival is the prevention of injuries, accidents, and trauma that could lead to cardiac arrest. Prevention is particularly important in the Pediatric Chain of Survival because unintentional injuries are the number one killer of children in America. By preventing these injuries from occurring in the first place, we can save more children’s lives. Learning child CPR and First Aid is not sufficient; preventing emergencies from occurring on a daily basis through childproofing your home and other means is critical.

Furthermore, in infants and children, the cause of circulatory failure is generally respiratory failure. So, if a rescuer is alone with an unresponsive child or infant, he should perform around two minutes of CPR (5 cycles) to deliver some oxygen before calling 911. CPR is most effective when it’s performed immediately after the victim’s collapse.

Remember: the Chain of Survival is only as strong as its weakest link. If you want to respond quickly and effectively in a pediatric emergency, undergo training in Pediatric First Aid and CPR regularly and memorize the Pediatric Chain of Survival. By following the links of the Pediatric Chain of Survival, you could prevent serious injuries or even save a child’s life.