CPR

CPR
CPR

Overview Of CPR

CPR stands for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. It is a lifesaving procedure that is done when someone’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped. This may happen after an electric shock, drowning, or heart attack.

CPR involves:

  • Rescue breathing, which provides oxygen to a person’s lungs.
  • Chest compressions, which keep the person’s blood circulating.
  • Permanent brain damage or death can occur within minutes if a person’s blood flow stops. Therefore, you must continue CPR until the person’s heartbeat and breathing return, or trained medical help arrive.

Cause

In adults, major reasons for performing CPR include:

There are many things that cause an older child or teen’s heartbeat and breathing to stop, including:

  • Choking
  • Drowning
  • Electrical shock
  • Excessive bleeding
  • Head trauma or other serious injuries
  • Lung disease
  • Poisoning
  • Suffocation

Symptoms

CPR should be done if a person has any of the following symptoms:

  • No breathing or difficulty breathing (gasping)
  • No pulse
  • Unconsciousness