Management of cardiac arrest due to severe diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) using bicarbonate therapy and extracorporeal life support (ECLS) remains controversial. We report a case of a 24-year-old man with insulin-dependent type 1 diabetes mellitus who survived without any neurologic complications after prolonged ECLS (including fluid resuscitation and insulin but no aggressive bicarbonate) for cardiac arrest due to severe DKA. In post-DKA cardiac arrest, insulin and fluid resuscitation is the mainstay of treatment, but ECLS should be considered when prolonged cardiac arrest is expected.