CPR is an emergency procedure performed to manually maintain circulation and oxygenation of the body when normal breathing and heartbeat have ceased. It involves chest compressions to support circulation and artificial respiration to provide oxygen to the lungs.
Chest compressions are the rhythmic pressing down on the chest of a person in cardiac arrest. This action helps to circulate oxygenated blood throughout the body, particularly to vital organs like the brain and heart.
Rescue breaths, also known as artificial respiration, involve blowing air into the lungs of a person who has stopped breathing. This action helps to provide oxygen to the body and remove carbon dioxide.
An AED is a portable device used to deliver an electric shock to the heart to restore its normal rhythm in cases of sudden cardiac arrest. It is often used in conjunction with CPR.
The chain of survival refers to a series of critical steps that, when executed promptly, can greatly increase the chances of survival for a person experiencing cardiac arrest. These steps typically include early recognition, immediate CPR, rapid defibrillation, advanced medical care, and post-resuscitation care.
Hands-only CPR is a simplified form of CPR that involves only chest compressions without rescue breaths. It is recommended for bystanders who are untrained or uncomfortable with performing rescue breaths.
Compression-only CPR, similar to hands-only CPR, emphasizes uninterrupted chest compressions to maintain blood circulation in a person experiencing cardiac arrest. This technique has been shown to be effective and is particularly useful in situations where bystanders may be hesitant to perform rescue breaths.
Good Samaritan laws provide legal protection to individuals who provide reasonable assistance to those who are injured or in distress, including performing CPR, without the expectation of compensation or fear of being sued for any unintentional harm caused during the rescue attempt.
Cardiac arrest is a sudden loss of heart function, typically due to an electrical disturbance in the heart that causes it to stop beating effectively. It is a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention, including CPR and defibrillation, to improve the chances of survival.
The airway refers to the passage through which air enters and exits the lungs. In CPR, maintaining an open airway is crucial to ensure the delivery of oxygen to the lungs during rescue breaths.
Breathing, or ventilation, is the process of inhaling and exhaling air. In CPR, rescue breaths are used to provide oxygen to the lungs and remove carbon dioxide from the body.
Circulation refers to the movement of blood through the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues and organs. Chest compressions in CPR help to maintain circulation by pumping blood through the heart and arteries.