CPR and AED

Cardiac Arrest

Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops beating properly. With no blood flow going to the brain, the casualty becomes unresponsive and stops breathing. Cardiac arrest means the casualty is clinically dead, but if cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is started and a defibrillator is applied quickly, there is still an opportunity to restore a normal heartbeat.

Agonal Breathing

Agonal breathing is an abnormal pattern of breathing driven by a brain-stem reflex, characterized by irregular gasping respirations at times accompanied by strange vocalizations. They can occur with cardiac arrest and lead bystanders to believe the casualty is breathing. A casualty with agonal breathing should be treated as though they are not breathing.

Common Causes of Cardiac Arrest

Common causes of cardiac arrest include:

• Heart attack
• Severe injuries
• Electrical shock
• Drug poisoning
• Drowning
• Suffocation