Market Opportunity

Initial Indication: Cardiac Arrest

Every Second Matters

When a person collapses without warning, the world around them shifts into crisis. This is cardiac arrest, an abrupt electrical failure of the heart that stops blood from reaching the brain and vital organs. Unlike a heart attack, which is caused by a blockage in blood flow, cardiac arrest is an electrical storm. It strikes suddenly, often in people with no prior symptoms, and if untreated, it is almost always fatal within minutes.¹

Each day in the United States, nearly 1,000 families face this reality.² It happens on sidewalks, in offices, at sporting events, and most often at home. For loved ones standing nearby, those first moments feel like an eternity. And yet, research shows they matter more than anything: with every minute that passes without CPR or defibrillation, the chances of survival drop by 7–10%.³

The Odds We Face

Despite decades of progress in emergency response, the numbers remain sobering. Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) affects more than 350,000 Americans every year, yet fewer than one in ten survive to hospital discharge.⁴ Those who do often credit their survival to immediate bystander action: someone who recognized the emergency, began chest compressions, or delivered a shock with a nearby defibrillator.

Studies confirm that when CPR starts within two minutes, survival improves dramatically: the odds of living nearly double, and the chance of avoiding major brain injury rises even higher.⁵ In cities where communities have embraced training, invested in public AED access, and built coordinated EMS systems, survival rates climb far above the national average.⁶

Beyond Numbers

The Human Impact

Behind every statistic is a name, a family, a future interrupted. Cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of premature death worldwide, claiming more lives than many cancers combined.⁷ Survivors often carry lasting neurological or physical challenges, reminders of how thin the margin can be between timely action and tragedy.

The disparities are real as well. National registry data reveal that while bystander CPR benefits everyone, survival gains are consistently lower among women and Black Americans, pointing to systemic gaps in training, awareness, and community resources.⁸

A Shared Responsibility

The science is clear: we know what works. Early recognition. Rapid CPR. Timely Defibrillation. Early Access to Medication. Coordinated care. These links in the “Chain of Survival” are not abstract; they are practical, proven steps that save lives when every second matters.⁹ ¹⁰

The challenge is not only medical—it is cultural. Creating a “Nation of Lifesavers” means equipping more people with the confidence to act, more neighborhoods with access to AEDs, and more systems prepared to respond with advanced care, including timely medication administration. With knowledge, training, and shared responsibility, we can change the trajectory of cardiac arrest survival.

Because Tomorrow Depends on Today

Cardiac arrest is sudden. It is unforgiving. But it is not unmovable. The difference between a life lost and a life saved can be measured in moments, and in the courage of ordinary people prepared to act. This is the story the data tells us. And it’s a story we can change together.

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