To “arrest” something means to stop it – but when it comes to cardiac arrest and respiratory arrest, these are two quite different medical emergencies! Here’s some insight into the differences and what to do, from our suppliers of the best AEDs in Australia.

What is cardiac arrest? 

Cardiac arrest is when the heart either stops beating effectively (the rhythm becomes weak and irregular) or when it stops completely. Interestingly, “cardiac arrest” is what everyone dies of eventually! It’s the medical definition of death when your heart stops beating, regardless of if it’s from cancer, old age, or a car accident.

Anyone can suffer cardiac arrest suddenly, regardless of their age or general health. In fact, it’s the biggest killer in Australia and likely the world. It can occur because of a heart attack or stroke, a defect in the heart muscle, or heart disease and diabetes.

Warning signs include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest and/or back pain
• Flu-like symptoms – nausea, vomiting
• Extreme fatigue
• Dizziness

When the heart goes into arrest, the person usually:

• Suddenly collapses
• Is unconscious and unresponsive
• Has no pulse

Cardiac arrest occurs when the electrical pulse that tells the heart muscles to contract is disrupted. When this happens, oxygenated blood stops flowing to the body, depriving the brain and organs. Although we can hold our breath for quite a while and be perfectly fine, the heart is still pumping – when it isn’t pumping, cells, tissue, and organs start to die off very quickly. In about 3 minutes, damage starts to occur in the brain, heart, and other vital organs. With every minute that passes since arrest occurs, the chance of survival decreases by 10% and significant irreparable damage increases. This means that in just 10 minutes, someone in cardiac arrest will die.

What is respiratory arrest?

Respiratory arrest is when the person cannot breathe out carbon dioxide and breathe in oxygen. Their heart will keep beating as long as it can, so they will have a pulse – but this will stop if their arrest isn’t treated.

This condition can be caused by an obstruction in the airway, drowning, physical trauma, respiratory diseases like asthma and pneumonia, seizures, and sleep apnoea.

Warning signs of respiratory arrest include:

• Gasp and wheeze
• Sweat
• Show signs of struggling/making increased effort to breathe

When someone goes into respiratory arrest, they will usually:

• Collapse
• Have a pulse that starts to weaken
• Turn blue

How to help someone in respiratory or cardiac arrest 

Regardless of what you think is happening, the most important first step is to call emergency services immediately – they will talk you through determining what is happening and how best to help the person.

The next most important step is to get an AED to the victim as quickly as possible. It is the only way to restart a heart in cardiac arrest, and because respiratory arrest can lead to cardiac arrest, it can help in both instances.

If you believe it to be a case of cardiac arrest, then you can:

• Start CPR – If you do not have training, you can just do the chest compressions. Push sharply with interlocked palms into the middle of their chest, compressing the rib cage by a few centimetres. This will keep existing oxygenated blood flowing. Try to get people around you to help, as it is very physically taxing.
• Attach the AED – AEDs are very safe and easy to use. Depending on what AED is provided, you can attach the electrode pads according to the instructions and follow the voice commands.
• Keep providing AED treatment and CPR – Do this until emergency services arrive. Victims may require more than one shock. The AED will warn you to stop CPR so it can safely deliver the shock, then walk you through supplying further chest compressions. 

If you believe it is a case of respiratory arrest: 

• Check airway – Remove an obstruction if you can see it. If the person is choking, you can supply the Heimlich manoeuvre. Be very careful if you suspect the possibility of spinal injury, rather examine their mouth, and wipe it clean rather than moving them or tilting their head.
• Start CPR – If you do not have training, you can just do the chest compressions. Push sharply with interlocked palms into the middle of their chest, compressing the rib cage by a few centimetres. This will keep existing oxygenated blood flowing. Try to get people around you to help, as it is very physically taxing.
• Ask for an AED – The AED will monitor heart rhythm and only supply a shock if their heart stops beating. There is a risk of cardiac arrest following respiratory arrest, so it’s good to have an AED nearby.
• Continue until emergency services arrive 

An AED in every community makes every community safer! 

At DefibsPlus, we are dedicated to taking the fear and uncertainty away from using a defibrillator – because the fact is that everyday bystanders are the most necessary link in survival for a person in cardiac arrest.

In addition to supplying you with the best defibrillator in Australia, we’ll give you and your family or team FREEdefibrillator training based on your chosen AED.