Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR is a technique to revive a victim suffering from cardiac arrest or respiratory problems. This procedure is done in hospitals as well as out side. CPR is a method to create artificial air and blood circulation by applying rhythmic pumps on the chest called chest compressions and exhaling into the victim’s mouth.

To be able to perform CPR one has to undergo CPR training. The training involves classes, which train you to intervene when a victim has lost consciousness, due to heart attack. These classes are followed by certification of the person gone through this training that certifies him/her to perform CPR.

To get certified in CPR, you have to go through two types of tests after you have completed your CPR course. This involves two tests- written and skill test. In the written test you are asked to answer a few questions based on the CPR procedure and protocols to ensure that you know how to perform and when to perform CPR. The skill test is the practical test, wherein they give you a situation and you are supposed to show them how to revive the victim. The resuscitation is done on a specially designed CPR manikin.

To make sure that the same effective procedure is applied everywhere in the world, the American Heart Association sets the CPR guidelines, which decide the CPR steps to be performed on a victim. Till 2005 the CPR steps in the CPR guidelines included:

Call 911 emergency

Check if the victim is conscious or not

Give two full breaths to the victim

Give 30 chest compressions

The latest CPR guidelines were updated in 2010, which enable the bystanders who are not willing to give the mouth-to-mouth respiration, to omit that step and just give the victim the chest compressions. This also allows the common man who is not trained in CPR to help revive a victim of cardiac arrest.