The American Heart Association survivorship statement recognizes the unmet needs of cardiac arrest survivors, families, lay rescuers, and professional responders after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). The 6th link of the Chain of Survival, Recovery, addresses physical, cognitive, and psychosocial supports, including the need for interventions to improve survivorship and Quality of Life (QoL).

The experiences and QoL of OHCA survivors vary greatly. Similarly, caregivers of survivors and bereaved families are affected by physical and psychosocial manifestations of witnessing the OHCA and subsequent hospitalization. EMS, first responders, dispatchers, and lay rescuers are involved from the moment of the event but often never learn the outcome of the patient they treated.

The fear of recurrence, prolonged grief, depression, fatigue, hyper-vigilance, sleep disturbances, posttraumatic stress and feelings of isolation are prevalent among all who are touched by OHCA. The impact on long-term QoL is real, and interventions for optimal survivorship for survivors, families, EMS professionals, and lay rescuers are needed urgently.

Panel discussion will address interventions for optimal OHCA survivorship:
- Scientific advancements to optimize recovery for those impacted by OHCA
- Post-OHCA advocacy as an intervention
- A roadmap for online community engagement
- Creating EMS support systems for psychological well-being
Learning Objectives:

Learn how scientific research is informing the creation of new interventions to improve survivorship among all affected by cardiac arrest.
Learn how advocacy, online community engagement, and peer-to-peer support groups can enhance cardiac arrest survivorship and healing of all affected by cardiac arrest.
Learn about support systems for the psychological well-being of EMS, first responders, and dispatchers who routinely manage Cardiac Arrest events.