Introduction to CPR

In regards to promoting lifesaving, I have also emphasized on the importance of CPR. My personal stance regarding CPR is that you need courage to perform it. Performing during practice differs a lot from real life experience. As per to my stance regarding pursuing of lifesaving and being an actual lifeguard. I only consider my students to be trained and qualified lifesavers until they have experienced working professionally as a lifeguard.

The information below are taken from Wikipedia :-

What is CPR?

Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency medical procedure for a victim of cardiac arrest and/or respiratory arrest. CPR can be performed by doctors, paramedics and even lay persons. It comprises for chest compressions (artificial blood circulation) and lung ventilation (artificial respiration). It is usually combined with Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to restart the victim's heart beat.

As said above, CPR is unlikely to restart the heart alone. However its purpose is to maintain a flow of oxygenated blood to the vital organs like the brain and heart, thereby delaying tissue death and extending the brief window of opportunity for a successful resuscitation without the onset of brain damage. Defibrillation and advanced life support (ALS) are usually needed to restart the heart. Hence, the bottom line is to request an ambulance to the scene fast when a victim is suspected of cardiac arrest.

A brief history of CPR

CPR was first attempted during the 18th Century. The range of methods to stimulate the body are:

1. Warming the victim
2. Removing swallowed or aspirated water by positioning the victim's head lower than feet
3. Applying manual pressure to the abdomen
4. Respirations in to the victim's mouth, either using a bellows or with a mouth-to-mouth method
5. Tickling the victim's throat
6. 'Stimulating' the victim by such means as rectal and oral fumigation with tobacco smoke.
7. Bloodletting (withdrawal of blood from victim in a bid to reduce blood pressure)

The first 4 methods are still in use today albeit with variations.

Past variations of CPR include the Silvester Method and Holger-Nielson Method.

Silvester Method
The victim is laid on their back and their arms are raised above their head to aid inhalation and then pressed against their chest to aid exhalation. This procedure is repeated 16 times per min.

Holger-Neilson Technique
The victim is laid on their front, with their head to the side and a process of lifting their arms and pressing on their back was utilized. This is essentially the Silvester Method with the patient flipped over.

Cardiac Arrest

This is the medical term for the condition in which the victim's heart has stopped. CPR is used to oxygenate the blood and to allow the oxygenated blood to flow to the vital organs. The brain may sustain damage after blood flow has been stopped for about 4 minutes. Irreversible damage will be done after 7 minutes. Therefore CPR has to be performed as soon as possible! Effective CPR enables enough oxygen to reach the brain to delay brain death and allows the heart to remain responsive to defibrillation attempts.

Respiratory Arrest

If the victim has a pulse but is not breathing, this is called respiratory arrest. Rescue breathing has to be effected as soon as possible in order not to let the pulse stop.


Chain of Survival

CPR is part of the Chain of Survival. This includes Early Access (to Emergency Medical Services), Early CPR, Early Defibrillation, and Early Advanced Care.

In conclusion, CPR is a practical skill where students are given professional instruction followed up by regular practice on a resuscitation manikin to gain and maintain full competency.