Cultivating the Magic Sauce for Surviving Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

Abstract

I read Bobby Grams’ touching commentary about his experience as a bystander with a smile on my face—and hope. I have heard this story first hand from Bobby and his wife Karen and cannot help but think how every part of the chain of survival went right for Karen to have this great outcome. Bobby had to recognize a life-threatening situation, think quick on his feet, pick up that phone and call 911, and keep calm so he could follow dispatch’s instructions. Dispatch had to have the experience and know-how to effectively guide Bobby through cardiopulmonary resuscitation. First-responders had to get to the house quickly, bypass barking dogs, take over patient care, transport while continuing life-saving measures, and handoff to the emergency room for definitive care. It all went right.