Background:

Previous studies conducted on people surviving Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) focus on measuring health and quality of life with instruments, while little is still known about the survivors' individual experiences. To survive an OHCA is a life changing event, affecting the survivors' physical as well as psychological well-being. Aim: The aim was to illuminate the experiences of surviving an OHCA. Method: The method used was a literature review, with searches performed in the database CINAHL. Eight articles were reviewed and analyzed with a qualitative content analysis. Result: The result shows that the physical changes that emerge after a cardiac arrest gives a feeling of not being the same person as before the event. The survivors express a need to fill in the memory gap that occurred during the arrest. There was a need to remain in contact with health care providers during the recovery phase, since the survivors experience loneliness and insecurity when the contact with the health care providers is ceased. To survive an OHCA leads to insight and a deepened reflection about life and death. Conclusion: In consensus with previous studies conducted on the subject, this literature review confirms that the expe-rience of surviving an OHCA is a life changing event. It includes physical and psychological changes as well as the awakening of existential questions. To survive an Out-of-Hospital cardiac arrest means to become another person and the survivors need to receive full support from the health care providers to retain security in a changed life situation