CPR, or Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, is an emergency procedure used to save the life of a person who has had a sudden cardiac arrest. The procedure involves rescue breathing and chest compressions to allow oxygenated blood to circulate to vital organs, such as the brain and heart.
Read the below infographic and learn what does CPR stands for:
Cardio
Cardio refers to the heart. The heart is a critical organ in our bodies. It is a powerful muscle in the chest that expands and contracts more than 60 times per minute. It pumps blood, which is rich in oxygen, from the lungs to the rest of the organs in the body. If the heart stops pumping oxygen-rich blood to the organs, tissue begins to die. This can cause organ malfunction, brain damage, or, in the worst case, death.
Pulmonary
Pulmonary refers to the lungs. The lungs are a vital organ responsible for taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide. The oxygen fuels the body and its organs, and carbon dioxide is expelled through the process of respiration.
Resuscitation
Resuscitation means bringing someone who is seemingly "dead" back to life. It may sound like something from a sci-fi movie, but it's real. The human body only has a limited supply of oxygen once the heart stops and the lungs no longer receive adequate oxygen. Once the oxygen runs out, cells and tissue start to die. This can lead to brain damage and even death. When resuscitating someone, it's important to remember that cells and tissue begin to die four to six minutes after being deprived of oxygen.
What happens during CPR?
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is an emergency procedure that is performed when someone's breathing and heartbeat have stopped (cardiac arrest). It is a lifesaving measure that is used to keep oxygenated blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs. CPR can be performed by trained medical professionals and laypeople who have been trained in the procedure.
The steps of CPR include chest compressions, giving rescue breaths, and automated external defibrillation. Chest compressions are used to keep the blood flowing and to help the heart pump blood. Rescue breathing provides oxygen to the lungs and keeps them inflated. Defibrillation is used to shock the heart and restart it.
How to Perform CPR?
- First, the rescuer should check for victim responsiveness by tapping the victim’s shoulder and shouting, “Are you okay?”.
- If the victim does not respond, the rescuer should position themselves next to the victim’s head, with their hands interlocked at the center of the victim’s chest.
- The rescuer should then place their shoulders directly above their hands and begin chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute.
- The rescuer should then tilt the victim’s head back and pinch their nose shut, covering the victim’s mouth with their own and blowing two Rescue Breaths, each lasting one second.
- The rescuer should then return to chest compressions and repeat the cycle of 30 compressions and two breaths until professional help arrives or the victim begins to show signs of life.
