CPR AND THE SINGLE RESCUER - AT WHAT AGE SHOULD YOU CALL FIRST RATHERTHAN CALL FAST

Study objective: To determine whether the age-related frequency of ven tricular fibrillation (VF) in cardiac arrest supports the guideline th at single rescuers should ''call first'' for all victims of sudden col lapse older than 8 years. Design: Analysis of data on all nontraumatic cardiac arrests treated by emergency medical service (EMS) personnel in King County, Washington, between 1976 and 1992. Measurements: Age, initial cardiac rhythm, witnessed versus unwitnessed status, whether p atient was discharged alive. Results: We analyzed 10,992 cardiac arres ts. Initial rhythm was VF in 4,252 (40%) and non-VF in 6,740 (60%). VF frequencies were 3% (0 to 8 years old), 17% (8 to 30 years), and 42% (30 years or older). Conclusion: Most patients under age 30 were not i n VF at the time of EMS evaluation. Our data suggest that a ''call fas t'' strategy may be more effective when a single rescuer is present an d the victim is between 8 and 30 years old.