Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

What is CPR?


CPR is an important part of the management of cardiac arrest. It is recommended that it be started as soon as possible and interrupted as little as possible.  The component of CPR that seems to make the greatest difference in most cases is the chest compressions.

Effective CPR can be performed on a victim only using chest compressions, if, for instance you are unsure of health risks to yourself (i.e. inhaling vomit from the victims’ mouth, contracting a disease from fluid contact, etc).  CPR Only can result in the same outcomes as standard CPR for those who have gone into cardiac arrest due to heart issues.

Take a look at this short, fun video for CPR tips…

Keep the Beat, brought to you by the American Heart Association:

According to the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation guidelines, CPR involves chest compressions at least 5 cm (2 in) deep and at a rate of at least 100 per minute in an effort to create artificial circulation by manually pumping blood through the heart and thus the body.  Combining this with ‘breaths’ by either exhaling into the subject’s mouth or nose (or using a device that pushes air into the subject’s lungs) is the most effective CPR as ‘fresh’ oxygen is introduced into the victims’ system.

Simply: we advise the CPR treatment to consist of 30 compressions, then two breaths – repeatedly.


Administration of an electric shock to the victim’s heart, termed defibrillation, is usually needed in order to restore a viable heart rhythm.


CPR may succeed in inducing a heart rhythm that may be shockable. In general, CPR is continued until the patient has a return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) or is declared dead, or until there is no rescuer physically able to continue (effective CPR can be exhausting).

Don’t forget though – Our AEDs will talk you through the entire process, including giving you CPR feedback in real time.

Why do I need training if AEDs are so simple?

A cardiac arrest is usually diagnosed clinically by the absence of a pulse, but lack of a pulse may result from other conditions (e.g. shock), or simply an error on the part of the rescuer. Studies have shown that rescuers often make a mistake when checking the pulse in an emergency, whether they are healthcare professionals or lay persons.

Mistaking the presence/absense of a pulse is not the only concern… when actually faced with a collapsed person, beit a loved-one, colleague, or stranger, is daunting.  Confidence is key, and the CPR and AED Training we offer is there for you, to best enable you/your staff to commence effective action – without delay – giving the victim the best chance of survival possible.