Your impact on the 6-minute zone: Save lives in your own community

Every second counts in cardiac arrest . The time between the moment of cardiac arrest and the start of resuscitation often determines whether someone survives. In the Netherlands, we have a crucial concept: the 6-minute zone . This is the period during which help must be provided to maximize the chance of survival. The success of this zone depends not only on professionals, but especially on people like you.

What exactly is the 6-minute zone?

The 6-minute zone means a victim must receive help within 6 minutes. If you start CPR and use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) within this time, your chance of survival increases by as much as 70%. As a civilian, you often arrive faster than the ambulance, making you indispensable.

The heroic role of citizen responders

As a citizen responder, you're a trained volunteer who receives a call through HartslagNu when someone near you experiences cardiac arrest. You'll then immediately go to the victim to perform CPR or retrieve an AED nearby . Your efforts within those first six minutes are often the reason someone returns home safely.

How do you become a citizen responder?

Anyone can learn! Take a short CPR training course and sign up. Once you're registered, you'll receive a notification on your phone in the event of an emergency. Especially in rural areas, where emergency services can sometimes take longer to arrive, your role as a citizen responder is vital.

• Within 1-3 minutes: CPR should have started.

• Within 6 minutes: A shock must be administered to enable defibrillation .

The importance of an accessible AED

Besides rapid assistance, sufficient equipment is also needed. An AED must be available 24/7, even outside office hours. That's why a good outdoor AED cabinet in residential areas, at shopping centers, and sports clubs is so important. Nowadays, you can even start a project with your neighbors to purchase an AED for the entire street.

Do you also want to make a difference in your neighborhood?

Make sure you are prepared to act when disaster strikes.

• Which AED is right for your street? Are you thinking about buying an AED together with your neighbors? Use our AED Selection Guide to see which model is most user-friendly for citizens.

• Always ready for action: An AED in a residential area must always be operational. Prevent a dead AED battery with our maintenance contracts .

• Practice yourself: Want to review the steps at home? Check out our resuscitation dolls and AED trainers .

• Accessories: Provide a prominent AED wall sign so that everyone in the area knows where the life-saving device is located.

Every minute counts. Become part of the 6-minute zone and help make your community heart-safe!