CPR Certification Manual: Introduction
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Recognizing Cardiac Arrest
- 3. Positioning & Pulse Check
- 4. Compressions for Adults
- 5. Compressions for Infants & Children
- 6. Ventilation Equipment
- 7. Ventilations for Adults
- 8. Ventilations for Infants & Children
- 9. AED Usage
- 10. AED Special Circumstances
- 11. Common Mistakes
- 12. Conclusion
- MyCPR Now™ Glossary
What CPR Means
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving technique of providing compressions and ventilations to a victim of cardiac arrest.
How CPR Works
CPR works by rescuers providing chest compressions and ventilations to maximize blood and oxygen saturation to vital organs in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). If CPR is administered within the first 3-5 minutes, it significantly increases survivability after a SCA by providing crucial blood flow and oxygen to the heart and brain.
Why CPR Matters
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), "About 610,000 people die of heart disease in the United States every year–that's 1 in every 4 deaths. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women." Unfortunately, this statistic includes children and infants.