Six minutes to live: Inside the push to save cardiac arrest victims

In this edition of EMS One-Stop, Rob Lawrence is joined by Bob Davies and Hilary Gates to explore the mission behind Six Minutes to Live, a growing movement focused on improving survival from sudden cardiac arrest. | MORE: ‘Six Minutes to Live': Mini-documentary spotlights cardiac arrest care crisis The conversation begins with the stark reality that every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces survival by 10%, and then widens into a larger discussion about injustice, geography and system performance. Bob reflects on his landmark USA Today investigation into EMS disparities across the country, while Hilary explains why this issue remains deeply personal and why communities, not just medical systems, must be part of the solution. The episode then turns from problem to action. Hilary and Bob describe how Six Minutes to Live is using storytelling, advocacy, community partnerships and public training to drive change, especially through bystander CPR education, school-based training and public access defibrillation. From Santa Cruz to the Resuscitation Academy in Seattle, the emphasis is on making the simple feel possible: hands-only CPR, early defibrillation and empowering ordinary people to act. The result is more than a nonprofit or a campaign. As Rob notes, this is a movement. Memorable quotes “For every minute that a person's heart has stopped, their chance of survival decreases by 10%.” — Hilary Gates “Life and death is defined by geography.” — Bob Davies “There are vulnerable, voiceless people living on the margins who need a voice.” — Hilary Gates “The main way that people save more lives is they care.” — Bob Davies “Every podcast that Hillary and I are involved with is actually sponsored by R&D. Rip off and duplicate, show up, take our stuff, go and save lives with it.” — Rob Lawrence Additional resources Six Minutes to Live Six Minutes to Live mini documentary Episode timeline 01:34-02:14 – Rob Lawrence introduces the episode and welcomes Hilary Gates and Bob Davies. 02:21-03:21 – Hilary Gates shares her background as an educator turned paramedic and cofounder of Six Minutes to Live. 03:48-08:14 – Bob Davies recounts his experience as a paramedic and journalist, including his USA Today investigation into EMS performance disparities. 08:24-10:50 – Rob asks what has changed in 20 years; Bob discusses the enduring formula, new technology and the energy of younger clinicians. 11:08-13:02 – Hilary explains why Six Minutes to Live was founded and frames cardiac arrest survival as an issue of injustice and community responsibility. 13:13-17:08 – Rob asks what Six Minutes to Live is and how it fits among other advocacy organizations; Bob and Hilary describe its role as a connector and storyteller. 18:04-18:39 – Rob resets the conversation and asks what the organization is doing now. 18:50-20:47 – Hilary describes the Santa Cruz partnership, community CPR training and support from donors and local agencies. 21:12-23:47 – Bob highlights their upcoming workshop at the Resuscitation Academy in Seattle and the power of systems that care enough to measure and improve. 24:00-25:20 – Rob offers a transatlantic explainer connecting Eisenberg, Utstein and UK ambulance response standards. 25:24-28:41 – Hilary discusses community myths about CPR and AEDs, and the need to simplify action for laypeople. 28:48-31:02 – Bob outlines what is next: documentaries, deep listening, connecting voices and helping movements grow organically. 31:17-33:01 – Rob and Hilary talk about creating local champions, liability concerns and getting communities to act. 33:13-34:47 – Rob asks the closing question; Hilary urges EMS clinicians to become local champions for simple lifesaving actions. 35:22-37:20 – Bob closes with a call for EMS professionals to confront the “little secrets” they know and act on them. Email editor@ems1.com to share feedback.