What Is Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation?

Many people have heard the term Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) but are not sure of what exactly it is is and how to apply it in a medical emergency. So what is Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation? We will provide some basic information to help you understand the basic principles involved in CPR.

Every five years the Resuscitation Council in the UK reviews research and current practice and then makes recommendations on the practice of CPR techniques. This approach ensures that the best and most informed techniques are kept updated on how CPR and other techniques can be used to help people whose heart or breathing has failed.

Why CPR is important?
In the UK cardiac arrests less than 10 per cent of casualties survive to leave hospital. However, this figure could be dramatically improved if more people were aware of how to provide CPR.

What are the basics of CPR?

Recovery Position
When should you put someone in to the recovery position?
When they are unconscious and breathing normally.

How do you know if someone is unconscious?
They are not responding to any verbal or painful stimuli which you have given them. You would know this by doing the A.V.P.U scale (Alert, verbal, pain, unresponsive)


When should you give C.P.R?
When someone is unconscious and they are not breathing normally.

When should you stop C.P.R?
When the ambulance arrives and the paramedics are ready to take over, if you are physically exhausted and you can no longer continue, if your casualty shows signs of recovery, or if the situation changes and you are now in immediate danger.

At what point should you ring 999 if you need to give C.P.R?
As soon as you realise the casualty is unconscious and not breathing normally (before you start the chest compressions)

What if you break a rib?
The most common area to become fractured during C.P.R is actually the sternum. If you think you may have fractured the casualty’s ribs/sternum just stop, make sure your hands are in the centre of the chest and carry on as it’s more important there is oxygenated blood circulating than the ribs/sternum are intact.

What happens if you blow too much air in to the casualty when you are giving rescue breaths?
The casualty may vomit as air may become forced in to the stomach. In which case you need to turn them on to their side towards you so the vomit can drain out and you can see the airways. Then put them back on the back and re check airways and breathing.

What if you can’t give mouth to mouth or mouth to nose?
If you are unable or unwilling to give rescue breaths, you can give chest compression only C.P.R. Chest compression only C.P.R is effective for a limited period only and is not recommended as standard management for C.P.R.