The Links
The adult out-of-hospital chain of survival includes recognition and activation of emergency response, high-quality CPR, rapid defibrillation, advanced resuscitation, post-cardiac arrest care, and recovery. Weakness in any link lowers the odds of survival.
High-Quality CPR
Compress at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute and a depth of at least 2 inches (5 cm) but not more than 2.4 inches (6 cm) in adults. Allow full chest recoil, minimize interruptions to under 10 seconds, and avoid excessive ventilation. Rotate compressors about every 2 minutes.
Why It Matters for the Exam
The NREMT frequently tests compression rate, depth, ratio, and the importance of early defibrillation. Know that CPR should start immediately and that an AED should be applied as soon as it is available.