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Cardiac Arrest in Singapore: What to Do When Someone Collapses

  • 13 May 2025
cardiac arrest

Cardiac arrest is a critical emergency — the person’s heart stops beating effectively, and every second counts. Such incidents can happen anywhere around Singapore: MRT stations, hawker centres, workplaces, or even HDB void decks.

The good news is that bystander intervention saves lives. Use the DRSABC approach to guide your actions.

Step 1: D – Check for Danger

Before helping, make sure the area is safe for both you and the victim.

  • Look out for traffic, electrical hazards, fire, or falling objects.
  • Don’t put yourself in danger — your safety comes first.

 

Step 2: R- Check for Response

Gently tap the person’s shoulders and shout, “Hello, are you okay?”

  • Look for signs of responsiveness.
  • If they don’t respond, move to the next step.
cardiac arrest

 

Step 3: S – Shout for Help

Call for help immediately:

  • Dial 995 for SCDF emergency ambulance services.

SCDF operators will guide you through CPR over the phone — don’t hang up.

Step 4: A – Get an AED

  • Send someone to locate and bring an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) as soon as possible.
  • Do not leave the victim alone unless there is no one else to get the AED.
  • Keep performing CPR while waiting for the AED.

Step 5: B – Check for Breathing 

  • Continue to look for signs of normal breathing (not gasping or irregular).
  • If breathing is not normal, resume CPR immediately.

Step 6: C – Start Chest Compressions

Begin CPR:

  • Kneel beside the victim.
  • Place the heel of one hand on the centre of the chest, the other hand on top.
  • Push hard and fast — 4–6 cm deep, 100–120 compressions per minute.
    • (Use the beat of “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees as a guide.)
  • Let the chest rise fully between compressions.

Don’t worry if you’ve never done CPR before — any attempt is better than none.

Why DRSABC Matters in Singapore

Even though Singapore has one of the fastest ambulance response times globally, bystander CPR and AED use can double or triple survival chances.

According to SCDF and MOH, survival rates increase when:

  • CPR starts within the first minute
  • An AED is used within 3 minutes
  • A bystander stays on the phone with 995 to receive instructions

Be Ready in Cardiac Emergency

At Advance Safe Consultants, we offer a comprehensive range of first aid and emergency response courses — including Occupational First Aid (OFA), Standard First Aid (SFA), Company Emergency Response Team (CERT), Basic Cardiac Life Support with AED (BCLS+AED), and Child First Aid (CFA).

Whether you’re a healthcare professional, workplace responder, caregiver, or simply someone looking to be prepared, our training empowers you to step up when it matters most.

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