The "3-minute rule" for AED (Automated External Defibrillator) programs emphasizes the importance of delivering a defibrillating shock within 3 minutes of a person collapsing from cardiac arrest.
This rapid intervention is crucial because the chances of survival significantly decrease with each passing minute after cardiac arrest. Effective Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) programs strive to ensure a shock is administered within this timeframe, ideally even faster than 5 minutes, to maximize the victim's chances of survival.
Here's why this time window is so critical:
- Brain Damage: Lack of oxygen to the brain during cardiac arrest begins to cause damage very quickly.
- Survival Rates: Survival rates plummet dramatically as time goes on without defibrillation. Every minute counts.
- Effectiveness of Defibrillation: Defibrillation is most effective within the first few minutes of cardiac arrest.
Therefore, strategically placing AEDs and training individuals in their use are vital components of an effective emergency response plan to meet this "3-minute rule" target.
