During a cardiac arrest, the heart stops beating and the person stops breathing. In that critical moment, time is everything. For every minute that passes without intervention, the chance of survival drops by 10%. With emergency medical services (EMS) often arriving 8 to 10 minutes—or even longer—after the event, those early minutes are vital.
Immediate bystander CPR and AED use can dramatically increase the likelihood of survival, often making the difference between life and death.
Cardiac arrest is the 3rd leading cause of death in the U.S.
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest affects 370,000 people each year.
That’s about 1,000 cases per day — one every 90 seconds.
Survival for OHCA remains below 10%.
The majority of cardiac arrests (73%) happen in the home.
CPR and AED use can double or triple survival chances.
Save a Life with CPR
How to Perform CPR: Call 911 and Follow Step by Step Instructions
How to Save a Life with CPR at Home or Anywhere
Gina’s story: NHHI
Josiah’s story: How an AED saved the student’s life
Reilly’s story: Educator now teaches importance of knowing CPR
Michael’s story: A cardiac arrest in the lobby
Doug's story: How early CPR + a collaboration between EMS and Northside saved his life
Forsyth County’s 4 Minute Community™ Program empowers citizens with the tools and training to bridge the gap between the moment of collapse and the arrival of professional help.