Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, commonly called CPR, can save lives. It’s been used since 1740 when the Paris Academy of Sciences advised giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to drowning victims. Today, according to the American Heart Association, approximately 92 percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims die before getting to a hospital. However, the association states that effective CPR performed by someone on the scene can double, or even triple, a victim’s chance of survival.

What Does CPR Do?

In cases of emergencies including accidents, near drowning, heart attack, and more, CPR can mean the difference between life and death. CPR is a way to keep oxygen-rich blood flowing to the brain and other organs, and help keep a person alive until he or she can get medical care. This is vital, as the lack of oxygenated blood can cause brain damage and death within mere minutes.

Performing CPR
CPR is a combination of chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth breathing. Up until 2005, the American Heart Association recommended first checking the victim’s airway and doing mouth-to-mouth breathing, and then doing chest compressions. Since 2005, the association has instructed people to do the opposite, perform chest compressions first, followed by checking the airway and doing rescue breathing if necessary. To find a CPR class in your area, try this class finder at the American Heart Association site.

Note however, that the American Heart Association believes that any care is better than no care. It advises that even untrained people should perform hands-only techniques in the case of an emergency. That means doing chest compressions at a rate of approximately 100 per minute (think about doing compressions to the beat of the Bee Gees song “Stayin’ Alive”), until medical help is available. Your hands should be stacked one on top of the other and placed palms down in the center of the victim’s chest. Elbows should be locked as you push directly down, compressing the chest at least 2 inches. Any harm that may be caused by an untrained person performing compressions would pale in comparison to the alternative, which is very likely death.

Even after you’ve been trained in CPR, remember that your knowledge and technique will become rusty if not practiced. Be sure to take a refresher class every year or two.

If you or a loved one is experiencing cardiac arrest or another medical crisis, it is critical to call 9-1-1 right away. In Central Broward County, the emergency team at Plantation General Hospital can provide you with fast, effective care.

To learn more about CPR, visit the Health Library at Plantation General Hospital. Visit us online or call Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-888-256-7724 with any medical questions you have.

Sources:

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (American Heart Association)

About CPR

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