Unconscious Victim: Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)

Click on the arrow to view video.

Sometimes the heart stops beating normally, and has an abnormal rhythm that stops pumping blood. This is what happens during Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). The victim suddenly will collapse and become unresponsive and unconscious during SCA events.

In the first minutes of sudden cardiac arrest the victim may be occasionally gasping. These gasps should not be confused with adequate or normal breathing. Gasping is commonly misinterpreted as a sign of life or response and normal breathing. If the victim is gasping, proceed as if the victim is not breathing normally.

In this situation, an easy-to-use medical device, called an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), must be used as quickly as possible, as well as CPR being administered to the victim.

Please refer to the First Voice AED Training Course for more detailed AED training.