Fear of resuscitation: why that fear is unfounded and what you can do today

One in four Dutch people has a resuscitation certificate, but only 5 percent register as civilian first responders. These are figures that, after more than 15 years in the AED industry, do not let us go. Because the knowledge is there. The willingness too, in most cases. But there is something in between those two: fear.

Research commissioned by the Dutch Heart Foundation, among more than 4,100 Dutch people, shows that the fear of doing something wrong is the biggest hurdle to registering as a civilian first responder. 62 percent believe that a victim can die due to a mistake by a civilian first responder.

That fear is understandable. But it is unfounded, and we are happy to explain why.

Can you harm someone by resuscitating?

This is the question we hear most often, and the answer is clear: no, not in a way that matters. In the event of cardiac arrest, the heart has stopped pumping. Without intervention, the chance of survival decreases by approximately 10% per minute. Ribs can sometimes break during forceful chest compressions, but that is a side effect that is completely secondary to the alternative: doing nothing almost certainly means death.

Program manager Leonie van der Leest of the Heart Foundation states it succinctly: "In the event of cardiac arrest, quick action is crucial. By starting resuscitation, you give someone a chance to survive. If you do nothing, the chance of survival is as good as zero."

You don't have to do it perfectly, you just have to do it

A common mistake is that people think resuscitation must be performed perfectly to be effective. That is not the case. Every attempt, however uncertain, is better than waiting for the ambulance. Modern AEDs also guide you step by step with clear voice instructions. The device itself analyzes the heart rhythm and only delivers a shock when it is necessary and safe. You cannot operate an AED incorrectly.

You decide when you are available

Another common misconception is that civilian first responders must be available day and night. That is absolutely not the case: you decide whether to accept a call. You register with HartslagNu and indicate when you are active. Are you on holiday, sick, or just not nearby? Then you skip the call. No obligation, no pressure.

Why the network needs more people

In the Netherlands, around 45 people suffer a cardiac arrest outside the hospital every day. Civilian first responders arrive, on average, 2.5 minutes faster than an ambulance. In the more than 12,000 resuscitation calls per year, eight out of ten resuscitations are started by civilian first responders. However, there are still not enough first responders available everywhere in the Netherlands. Every new registration literally increases the chance of survival for someone in your neighborhood.

What does a civilian first responder need?

• A valid resuscitation certificate, obtainable through a basic course of a few hours
• Registration via HartslagNu, free and easy
• Ideally an AED in the immediate vicinity, placed in an outdoor cabinet that is accessible 24/7

What can you do today?

Do you already have a resuscitation certificate? Then register with HartslagNu today. Has your certificate expired? Schedule a refresher course. Does your neighborhood, association or company still operate without an AED? Contact us. We will help you choose the right device and ensure that it is always ready for use.

Together we make the Netherlands heart-safe, one civilian first responder at a time.