Ace the Basic Life Support (BLS) Challenge 2025 – Breathe Life into Your Skills!

In the adult out-of-hospital Chain of Survival, each link is crucial for improving the chances of survival after a cardiac arrest. The third link represents the timely delivery of defibrillation, which is critical for restoring a normal heart rhythm in cases of ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia.

Defibrillation involves delivering a dose of electric current (a shock) to the heart, which can correct these life-threatening arrhythmias. The sooner effective defibrillation is provided, the better the chance for survival and recovery. This emphasizes the need for rapid access to defibrillators, enhancing the likelihood that individuals in cardiac arrest will receive this life-saving intervention quickly.

While high-quality CPR and rapid emergency response are essential elements, they occur before defibrillation in the sequence of care. Advanced life support follows defibrillation as emergency medical services arrive to provide further medical care. Thus, identifying defibrillation as the third link accurately reflects its pivotal role in the Chain of Survival.