Recently I was reading about the consequences of surviving a debilitating heart-attack...if you're not revived within several minutes then you're likely to suffer non-reversable brain damage. The article indicated some doctors have DNR's because the likelihood sufficient care will not occur within the alloted time. It commented on how this side of surviving a heart attack isn't publicized in the CPR campaigns...what's the good in being resuscitated only to live in a vegetative state. The article suggested unless you witnessed a heart-attack occur, not to perform CPR because you won't know how long the person has been without oxygen.

As to DNR's specifically, the article indicated that in an emergency situation a DNR wouldn't necessarily apply...bystander, EMS, and emergency room personnel either will be unaware of your DNR, or not recognize its validity within the short timeframe that they've already administered life-saving care. It said a DNR is for preplanned care, not emergency medicine...something to be presented to your hospital, doctor, or long-term care facility to be used in the event of future episodes.