Overall, survivors comprise only about 8% of the nearly 200,000 people for whom EMS attempts resuscitation each year in the United States and Canada.¹³ This leaves much room for improvement. Improving the survival rate by just 2 percentage points across the country, from 8% to 10%, would save 4,000 additional lives each year.

To extend survival rates into excellent territory requires choreography of the care provided for OHCA victims. This begins with bystander CPR, and must involve clear and direct EMS dispatch CPR instructions, as well as the effective efforts of EMS professionals and hospital personnel. Because of the interdependence of each of layer of care, it is essential that participants at all levels understand the necessity of a continuous commitment to success. OHCA survival can be substantially improved, and stakeholders must ensure that programs and initiatives in their communities are successful.