If I collapse due to arrhythmia, what should my family know about CPR or defibrillation? 

For those living with certain types of arrhythmia, the thought of a collapse is a source of significant anxiety, not just for the patient but for their family. While many arrhythmias only cause brief dizziness, some, such as Ventricular Fibrillation (VF, can lead to a sudden cardiac arrest. In these critical moments, the actions of the people nearby are more important than any hospital-grade technology. If a family member collapses and stops breathing, they are technically in a state where the heart’s ‘pump’ has failed. Understanding how to manually provide blood flow via CPR and how to ‘reset’ the heart using a portable defibrillator can be the difference between life and death. This article provides a medically neutral, practical guide for your family, explaining exactly what they need to do if you collapse due to a heart rhythm emergency. 

What We’ll Discuss in This Article 

• How to recognise the difference between a ‘faint’ and a ‘cardiac arrest.’ 

• The vital steps of the UK’s ‘Chain of Survival.’ 

• A step-by-step guide to performing high-quality chest compressions. 

• How anyone can use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) safely. 

• Why ‘Rescue Breaths’ are no longer the primary focus for bystanders. 

• Practical tips for your family to prepare for a cardiac emergency. 

• Emergency safety guidance for sudden or severe cardiac symptoms. 

1. Recognition: Faint vs. Cardiac Arrest 

The first thing your family needs to know is whether you are simply unconscious or in cardiac arrest. 

• A Faint (Syncope): The person is unresponsive but is breathing normally. They usually have a pulse and will often regain consciousness quickly once lying flat. 

• Cardiac Arrest: The person is unresponsive and is not breathing normally (they may be completely still or making infrequent, gasping ‘agonal’ breaths). 

The Action: If the person is not breathing normally, your family should assume it is a cardiac arrest. According to NHS guidance, they should immediately call 999. 

2. High-Quality CPR: Keeping the Brain Alive 

CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) is the act of manually pumping blood around the body when the heart cannot. It ‘buys time’ until a defibrillator arrives. 

Key Steps for Your Family: 

1. Call 999: Put the phone on speaker so the dispatcher can talk them through the steps. 

2. Hand Placement: Place the heel of one hand in the centre of the chest, with the other hand on top. 

3. The Rate: Push hard and fast at a rate of 100–120 beats per minute (to the beat of ‘Stayin’ Alive’). 

4. The Depth: Push down about 5–6cm, allowing the chest to recoil fully between each push. 

5. Hands-Only CPR: The Resuscitation Council UK recommends that bystanders focus on chest compressions only, rather than ‘mouth-to-mouth,’ unless they are specifically trained to do so. 

3. Defibrillation: The ‘Reset’ Button 

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is the only way to stop a lethal arrhythmia like VF. Many people are afraid of using them, but they are designed to be used by anyone, with or without training. 

What Your Family Needs to Know: 

• It is Impossible to Make a Mistake: An AED will not deliver a shock unless it detects a life-threatening rhythm. You cannot accidentally shock someone who doesn’t need it. 

• The Voice Prompts: Once turned on, the machine will speak clearly, telling the user exactly what to do (e.g., ‘Attach pads,’ ‘Stay back,’ ‘Press the flashing button’). 

• Apply the Pads: The pads must be applied to a bare chest exactly as shown in the diagrams on the packaging. 

• Keep CPR Going: They should only stop compressions when the machine tells them to ‘Clear’ or ‘Do not touch the patient.’ 

4. Preparing Your Home 

If you have a high-risk arrhythmia, there are practical steps your family can take now to feel more confident in an emergency. 

• Know the Location of the Nearest AED: Use the National Defibrillator Database (The Circuit) to find the closest AED to your home. 

• Download an App: Apps like ‘Save a Life’ or ‘GoodSAM’ can help your family locate AEDs and provide instructions during a crisis. 

• Install a Key Safe: If emergency services arrive, they need to get in quickly. A key safe allows the 999 dispatcher to give paramedics the code to enter your house. 

• Medical ID: Ensure your family knows where you keep your medical history or your ICD identification card. 

Differentiation: CPR vs. Defibrillation Role 

Use this table to help your family understand the two distinct parts of the ‘Chain of Survival.’ 

Action	Primary Purpose	Analogy
CPR (Compressions)	Keeps oxygen moving to the brain.	Manually pumping a stalled engine.
Defibrillation (Shock)	Stops the chaotic electrical signals.	Re-syncing a computer that has crashed.
999 Call	Gets advanced help on the way.	Calling the mechanic.
Post-Care	Stabilises the heart in hospital.	Replacing the faulty part.

Conclusion 

A collapse due to arrhythmia is a frightening prospect, but the power to save a life lies in the hands of those closest to you. By understanding how to recognise a cardiac arrest, performing firm and fast chest compressions, and having the confidence to use an AED, your family can provide a vital bridge to hospital care. In the UK, the ‘Chain of Survival’ depends on these immediate bystander actions. While you continue to manage your arrhythmia with your clinical team, having a family that is prepared, calm, and informed is the ultimate safety net. Encouraging your loved ones to take a basic first aid course or watch a CPR instructional video today can replace fear with the confidence to act when it matters most. 

If you witness a collapse or experience sudden, severe chest symptoms, call 999 immediately. 

Authority Snapshot (E-E-A-T Block) 

This article was written by Dr. Stefan Petrov, a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and certifications in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). Dr. Petrov has extensive hands-on experience in emergency departments and intensive care units, where he has performed life-saving resuscitations and trained healthcare staff in emergency protocols. This guide follows the standards of the Resuscitation Council UK and the NHS to provide an accurate and actionable overview of emergency cardiac care.