Ventricular fibrillation is called the "rhythm of survival". You can and will save lives when this algorithm is initiated quickly and correctly. The VF/PVT algorithm is probably the most important ACLS algorithm you will learn because most ambulatory adult cardiac arrests are due to ventricular tachyarrhythmias^[1] which includes VT, VF, and Torsades de pointes, all of which are highly amenable to direct current (DC) shocking.^[2]

Time = Tissue, especially brain! In the event of a witnessed arrest assume VF until proven otherwise, immediately search for it, identify it, and shock it! The sooner the rhythm is defibrillated the better the chances for survival.^[3] Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) also positively affects survival rates^[4] and prolongs the duration VF.^[5]