Cardiac arrest is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), rapid Emergency Medical Services (EMS) response, and early defibrillation when indicated. In Washington State, bystander CPR and access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are important parts of the community response to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
The latest available national data from the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES) cover 2025. However, the latest verified Washington-specific state statistics in the CARES public reporting table are from 2024. These figures provide a useful baseline for understanding cardiac arrest incidence, survival, bystander CPR, and AED use in Washington in 2026.
This guide examines the latest available Washington CPR and cardiac arrest statistics, recent local emergency response outcomes, survival rates, and the role of CPR training in improving emergency preparedness.
Key Washington CPR and Cardiac Arrest Statistics
The following table summarizes the latest verified Washington-specific CARES statistics alongside recent national benchmarks.
| Metric | Washington | Data year |
| Cardiac arrest cases reported to CARES | 5,188 | 2024 |
| Population covered by CARES | 7.63 million | 2024 |
| Population coverage | 97.7% | 2024 |
| Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest incidence per 100,000 people | 68 | 2024 |
| Survival to hospital discharge | 14.1% | 2024 |
| Utstein survival rate | 40.8% | 2024 |
| Bystander CPR rate | 53.6% | 2024 |
| Public-access AED use rate | 13.0% | 2024 |
Source: CARES 2024 Annual Report, Washington state statistics.
For national context, the CARES 2025 Annual Report recorded 140,427 non-traumatic, EMS-treated out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, with 42.5% receiving bystander CPR and 10.5% surviving to hospital discharge.
Source: CARES 2025 Metrics Summary.
The Washington and national figures cover different reporting years. They should not be interpreted as a direct year-over-year comparison or as a complete count of every cardiac arrest occurring in Washington.
How Common Is Cardiac Arrest in Washington?
The CARES 2024 Annual Report recorded 5,188 out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases in its Washington registry data. The reported incidence rate was 68 cases per 100,000 people in the population covered by the registry.
The registry reported population coverage of 97.7% for Washington in 2024. This indicates broad coverage within the CARES reporting system, although it does not mean every cardiac arrest in the state was necessarily captured.
What Is the Bystander CPR Rate in Washington?
Washington’s latest verified CARES bystander CPR rate is 53.6% for 2024. This means bystander CPR was documented in just over half of the cases included in the registry’s measure. The CARES 2025 Annual Report recorded a national bystander CPR rate of 42.5%. Although Washington’s reported 2024 rate is higher than that national 2025 figure, the different reporting periods should be considered when interpreting the comparison.
Increasing CPR awareness and training helps more people recognize cardiac arrest, call 911, begin chest compressions, and follow dispatcher instructions.
What Is the Cardiac Arrest Survival Rate in Washington?
The CARES 2024 Annual Report recorded a 14.1% survival to hospital discharge for its Washington registry data. Survival to hospital discharge measures the proportion of recorded patients who leave the hospital alive. It differs from return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), survival to hospital admission, and survival with favorable neurological function.
Cardiac arrest outcomes depend on several factors:
- Whether someone witnesses the collapse.
- How quickly CPR begins.
- Whether an AED is available and used when indicated.
- The initial heart rhythm.
- EMS response time and the quality of resuscitation.
- The patient’s underlying health and the cause of cardiac arrest.
What Is the Utstein Survival Rate?
Washington’s CARES 2024 data reported a Utstein survival rate of 40.8%. The Utstein measure focuses on a specific subgroup of cardiac arrest cases, generally including witnessed arrests with an initial shockable rhythm. It is designed to help compare outcomes among patients with more similar circumstances.
This rate should not be confused with the overall survival rate of 14.1%. The Utstein group has characteristics associated with a greater likelihood of successful resuscitation, so its survival rate is expected to differ. The CARES 2025 national report recorded an overall survival-to-hospital-discharge rate of 10.5%. This national figure provides broader context but is not a replacement for Washington’s latest verified state-specific statistic.
How Does AED Use Affect Cardiac Arrest Outcomes?
An automated external defibrillator analyzes a person’s heart rhythm and delivers an electrical shock when indicated. Early defibrillation is particularly important for cardiac arrest involving a shockable rhythm. Washington’s latest verified CARES public-access AED use rate was 13.0% in 2024. This measure applies to eligible cardiac arrests in public locations, rather than all cardiac arrests across the state.
The CARES 2025 national report provides a more recent benchmark for public AED application. Its national figures should be interpreted using the report’s specific definition of public-location cardiac arrests.
Important AED Facts
- AEDs guide rescuers: Voice and visual instructions explain how to apply the pads and follow the device’s prompts.
- CPR should not be delayed: Begin chest compressions while another person retrieves an AED, when possible.
- Not every cardiac arrest requires a shock: The AED analyzes the heart rhythm and advises a shock only when appropriate.
- Accessibility matters: Clearly marked AEDs help rescuers locate devices more quickly.
- Maintenance supports readiness: Organizations should check device status, battery condition, and electrode pad expiration dates according to manufacturer guidance.
What Do Recent Local Cardiac Arrest Statistics Show?
Statewide figures provide an overview of cardiac arrest outcomes, but local emergency response data can reveal how individual communities are performing. Central Pierce Fire & Rescue reported responding to 364 cardiac arrest incidents in which CPR was performed during 2025. The agency transported 102 patients after pulses were restored and reported that 29 patients survived cardiac arrest that year.
The number of survivors increased from 15 in 2023 and 17 in 2024 to 29 in 2025.
In its February 2026 survivor ceremony announcement, Central Pierce Fire & Rescue highlighted the importance of high-quality CPR, emergency dispatch improvements, and coordinated care. The agency reported that cardiac arrest dispatch pre-alerts introduced by South Sound 911 on April 1, 2025, improved response time by approximately 40 seconds.
Source: Central Pierce Fire & Rescue: Honors 29 Cardiac Arrest Survivors.
These results illustrate how local emergency response improvements and community participation can contribute to better outcomes. However, Central Pierce Fire & Rescue’s figures represent its own service area, not Washington State as a whole. The number of survivors should not be used to calculate a statewide survival rate.
Why CPR Training Matters in Washington
Cardiac arrest can occur without warning, and emergency responders may not arrive immediately. CPR training prepares people to take action during the first critical minutes. The American Heart Association states that immediate CPR can double or triple a person’s chance of surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
CPR education helps participants learn how to:
- Recognize unresponsiveness and abnormal or absent breathing.
- Call 911 and activate the emergency response system.
- Perform high-quality chest compressions.
- Use an AED safely and promptly.
- Continue resuscitation until emergency responders take over or the person shows signs of recovery.
Healthcare professionals may need Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) training, depending on their roles and employer requirements. Workplace teams and community members can pursue CPR and AED training suited to their responsibilities.
What Should You Do if Someone Experiences Cardiac Arrest?
- Check responsiveness and breathing. If the person is unresponsive and is not breathing normally or is only gasping, suspect cardiac arrest.
- Call 911. Ask someone nearby to contact emergency services and bring an AED.
- Start CPR. For an adult, perform chest compressions in the center of the chest at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute. Follow the dispatcher’s instructions.
- Use an AED. Turn it on, follow the voice prompts, and allow it to analyze the heart rhythm.
- Continue resuscitation. Follow the AED’s instructions and continue CPR until trained responders take over, the person shows signs of life, or you are unable to continue.
If you are not trained in rescue breaths, hands-only CPR is an important immediate response for an adult who suddenly collapses. Follow dispatcher guidance and age-appropriate instructions for children and infants.
The Bottom Line
Washington’s cardiac arrest statistics highlight the importance of bystander CPR, accessible AEDs, and rapid emergency medical response. The latest verified Washington-specific CARES figures show a 53.6% bystander CPR rate and 14.1% survival to hospital discharge in 2024. Expanding CPR education and emergency preparedness can help strengthen the chain of survival throughout Washington State.
Get CPR certified and help improve cardiac arrest survival in Washington. Enroll in our American Heart Association (AHA) BLS certification classes to learn CPR, AED use, and other essential lifesaving skills. Healthcare professionals seeking advanced training can enroll in ACLS or PALS courses. Designed for busy professionals, our flexible training combines online coursework with a short, in-person skills session, helping you complete your training and earn your certification efficiently. Enroll today and be prepared to make a difference when every second counts.
Sources and Further Reading
- CARES 2024 Annual Report: Washington State Statistics — State-specific cardiac arrest incidence, survival, bystander CPR, and AED use.
- CARES 2025 Metrics Summary — Recent national cardiac arrest incidence, bystander CPR, and survival data.
- Central Pierce Fire & Rescue: 2025 Cardiac Arrest Survivors — Local emergency response outcomes and dispatch improvements reported in 2026.
- American Heart Association: CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Guidelines — Evidence-based CPR and resuscitation guidance.
- JAMA Cardiology: Temporal Patterns in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Incidence and Outcome — Research examining long-term cardiac arrest trends in King County.
