The Critical “Golden 4 Minutes”

When someone suddenly experiences cardiac arrest, every second counts. Research shows that for every minute without emergency intervention after the heart stops, the chance of survival drops by 7–10%. After 4 minutes, brain damage begins; after 10 minutes without aid, survival is almost impossible.

The challenge is that ambulances often cannot arrive immediately—especially in heavy traffic, remote areas, or confined spaces. Therefore, performing CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) immediately and using an AED (automated external defibrillator) correctly is the only way to bridge the gap between life and death. These 4 minutes, known as the “golden rescue time,” are decisive—whether someone steps up can make all the difference.

What Are CPR and AED?

CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)
CPR involves manual chest compressions (sometimes combined with rescue breaths) to maintain basic blood circulation and oxygen delivery. Even if the heart stops, chest compressions temporarily “take over” the heart’s function, preventing brain hypoxia and organ damage, and buying critical time for life-saving measures.

AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
An AED is an indispensable life-saving device. When a patient experiences a fatal arrhythmia, the AED automatically determines whether a shock is needed and guides the user step by step. Even without prior experience, the device’s voice prompts or illustrations make it easy to operate.

In short: CPR extends life, while AED restores the heartbeat. Both are essential, working together to significantly increase the chance of survival.

Real Cases in Taiwan Demonstrate the Power of Emergency Response

According to the latest statistics, over 205 lives in Taiwan have been saved with AED intervention. Behind these numbers are lives that could have ended if people had not known CPR, had not had the courage to act, or had not used an AED correctly.

📌 Case 1: Miracle Rescue at a Ping-Pong Center in Hsinchu
In June 2025, a 51-year-old man suddenly collapsed after exercising at a ping-pong center in Hsinchu County. A doctor on-site immediately started CPR while using the “Hear AED” app. A nearby volunteer firefighter quickly brought an AED to the scene. After 4 shocks and continuous chest compressions, the man’s heartbeat and breathing were restored. He underwent coronary intervention and was fully conscious and discharged the next day.
👉 Key factor: someone on-site knew CPR and could use an AED immediately.

📌 Case 2: Employee Collapse in a New Taipei City Parking Lot
In 2021, a parking lot employee in Sanchong suddenly fainted. Colleagues immediately acted—calling emergency services, performing CPR, and following AED prompts to deliver a shock. By the time the ambulance arrived, the patient’s vital signs had returned, and he was successfully hospitalized and discharged safely.
👉 No medical background required: as long as someone acts and follows the AED instructions, a life can be saved.

You don’t need to be a healthcare professional. With CPR + AED knowledge and the courage to act, you can be a crucial rescuer in critical moments.

Emergency Procedure:

1. Check responsiveness and breathing: Shake the person’s shoulder and shout to see if they are unconscious and not breathing.
2. Call for help: Ask someone to dial 119 and bring an AED. If alone, call yourself.
3. Perform CPR: Place both hands on the center of the chest, press vertically at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute, at a depth of 5–6 cm.
4. Open the airway: If there is no trauma, use the head-tilt, chin-lift method. If trauma is suspected, maintain cervical alignment while opening the airway.
5. Rescue breaths: Pinch the nose and give 2 breaths, 1 second each, watching for chest rise. The compression-to-breath ratio is 30:2; hands-only CPR is also acceptable.
6. Use AED: Follow the device’s voice prompts, alternating with CPR until professional help arrives.

📌 Key tip: Continuous compressions without interruption increase survival chances.

These six steps are learnable by anyone. Emergency care is not advanced medical knowledge—it is a basic life skill.

It’s Never Too Late to Learn—The Next Life You Save Could Be Someone You Love

You can never predict when an emergency will occur or who will be present. But you can choose to be the person who knows what to do. Most cardiac arrests happen in familiar settings—home, school, office, or sports venues. The people most likely to act are those nearby. By learning CPR + AED, you could save the life of someone you love.

The good news: it’s not too late to start, and the learning barrier is low. Many local fire departments, health units, and medical institutions offer CPR + AED training, some of which can be completed in just an afternoon, providing full operational knowledge and hands-on experience. Better yet, plantārium periodically collaborates with local fire departments to offer in-person CPR + AED courses in a safe, supportive environment.

📌 Follow plantārium social media or official website for updates and registration information. Learning emergency care is the most practical protection you can give yourself and others.