What Is CPR?

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The signs of cardiac arrest include sudden loss of responsiveness, absence of normal breathing, and no pulse or heartbeat. The person may also become pale or blue in color.  CPR is needed for anyone that experiences sudden cardiac arrest.

CPR is important because it can keep blood flowing and oxygenated to the brain and other vital organs until professional medical help arrives. This can greatly increase the chances of survival for someone who has suffered a cardiac arrest.

CPR is a manual procedure that involves chest compressions and rescue breaths to maintain blood flow and oxygenation in someone who has suffered a cardiac arrest. An automatic external defibrillator (AED), on the other hand, is a device that delivers an electric shock to the heart to restore its normal rhythm.

CPR should only be performed on someone that is not responding normally (unconscious), has an absence of normal breathing, and has no pulse.  CPR should be performed continuously until professional medical help arrives or the person shows signs of life. If performing CPR alone, it is recommended to switch with another person every 2 minutes to avoid fatigue.

While performing CPR, it is possible to injure someone's ribs or cause other internal injuries due to the force required to properly administer chest compressions. However, the potential benefits of performing CPR far outweigh the risks of injury.  People can recover from injuries, but not if the heart isn't pumping properly.

Yes, you can perform CPR on someone with a pacemaker. The pacemaker will not be affected by the chest compressions or rescue breaths. It is important to follow the standard CPR protocol and call for medical help if the person does not respond.

Yes, CPR can be performed on a person who has drowned. In fact, drowning is one of the most common causes of cardiac arrest in children. It is important to start CPR as soon as possible to increase the chances of survival.

CPR certification is typically valid for two years. After that, you will need to take a renewal course to maintain your certification.