11/14/2025
During a family reunion, my friends's aunt suddenly went limp on the patio. In the chaotic scramble, we all froze, looking to each other for direction. I remembered a simple rule I’d learned in a first-aid workshop: "the 3-second rule" - as soon as you recognize a collapse, you have three seconds to call 911 before you start compressions.
Those three seconds feel like an eternity, but they’re enough to get professional help on the way while you begin lifesaving compressions. In that moment, I dialed 911, shouted for someone to fetch the AED, and started chest compressions. The speed of that decision kept the chain of survival intact.
The rule works because hesitation is the biggest enemy in emergencies. By assigning the call to a designated person within three seconds, you eliminate the “who’s doing what?” paralysis. It transforms a panicked crowd into a coordinated response team.
"Do you have a 3‑second protocol in place at work or at home? How do you make sure everyone knows their role?"