What is the leading cause of preventable death in cardiac arrest cases?

The leading cause of preventable death in cardiac arrest cases is the delay in performing CPR and defibrillation. When a person experiences cardiac arrest, their heart stops pumping blood to vital organs, resulting in a lack of oxygen that can lead to irreversible damage in just minutes. Immediate action is critical; high-quality CPR can help maintain blood flow to the brain and other organs until professional medical help arrives.

Defibrillation, which delivers a controlled electric shock to restore a normal heart rhythm, is also essential, as it needs to be administered as quickly as possible to maximize the chances of survival. Any significant delay in these interventions reduces the victim's chance of surviving the cardiac event. Quickly calling emergency services is important, but without immediate CPR and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), survival rates drastically decrease.

In contrast, while inadequate first aid knowledge, failure to call emergency services, and delayed medical transportation can impact outcomes, they are not the leading factors in the critical first moments of cardiac arrest. Immediate action with CPR and defibrillation takes precedence in preserving life.