Final answer:
Ventricular fibrillation must be treated within 3-5 minutes to avoid sudden cardiac death and minimize the risk of brain damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a severely abnormal heart rhythm that is rapidly fatal if not treated promptly. VF is characterized by the heart quivering rather than beating effectively, which prevents it from pumping blood, leading to collapse and sudden cardiac death if not reversed. Therefore, the time window for treatment is critically short. VF should be treated and terminated within 3-5 minutes to increase the chances of survival and minimize the risk of permanent brain damage or death.