CPR Fact Sheet
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, more commonly referred to as CPR, is an important life-saving procedure used by first responders. It is an essential technique to revive a patient who has fallen victim to cardiac arrest or has stopped breathing.
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CPR Steps
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CPR consists of two parts--mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and compressions of the chest--together designed to restore breathing and circulation to a patient. You begin by pinching the nose of the patient and blowing into the patient's mouth, covering the patient's mouth entirely with yours and providing a steady stream of air until the chest rises. You should blow two breaths into the patient's mouth, each lasting approximately 1 second. If the patient's breathing has not returned to normal, begin the chest compressions. Push firmly on the area of the chest near the start of the sternum and between the nipples 30 times, at the quick pace of almost two per second. Continue this exchange between breathing and pumping until professional medical help arrives. If you are performing CPR with an additional person, one of you breathing and one pumping, each of you should pause while the other works.
Situations Requiring CPR
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Knowledge of CPR is important to have in the event of a number of potential health emergencies. It can be a crucial technique to help someone who has inhaled water in a near-drowning or smoke in a bad fire. CPR can also be used to help victims of more uncommon hazards, such as poisoning and near-electrocution. Finally, CPR can be administered on the very young in possible cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
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Identifying the Need for CPR
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Almost as important as knowing the steps to CPR is being able to notice when CPR is needed. Look and listen for signs of responsiveness such as open eyes, movement of arms or legs and sounds being emitted. If none of these characteristics are present, try to stir the person to get a reaction. With a baby, this could mean rubbing the infant's chest to provoke a response. With adults or older children, this is best accomplished by shaking the victim's shoulders and asking her about her own conditions.
CPR Importance
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CPR is certainly not a replacement for professional medical help, which is why you should first call 911 when you realize a person is unresponsive. However, CPR can be critical to avoiding death or substantial injury. Oxygen deprivation for as short a time as 8 minutes can cause death or substantial brain damage. Since it might take at least that long for medical help to arrive, CPR can make the difference for someone who has stopped breathing or whose heart has stopped pumping.
CPR Classes
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Although written information about CPR can be invaluable in an emergency if that is all you have, it is best to try to attend a CPR class. One of these classes typically will allow you the opportunity to practice CPR techniques on dummies, so as to gain a more intimate knowledge of the steps required. Many organizations, most notably the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross, offer CPR training courses for members of the community.
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