1-6.
DEFINITION OF CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION
The term "cardio-" refers to the heart; the term "pulmonary-" refers to the lungs;
and the term "resuscitation" means to bring a person who appears to be dead to
consciousness. Thus, cardiopulmonary resuscitation means restoring lung function
(breathing) and heart function (blood circulation) to a person who is clinically dead.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is usually referred to simply as CPR. Cardiopulmonary
resuscitation is composed of an assessment (evaluation) phase during which the
responsiveness of the person is determined followed by the three basic maneuvers:
opening the airway, rescue breathing, and chest compressions.
1-7.
IMPORTANCE OF CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION
Past experience with situations requiring basic life support measures (restoring
breathing and heartbeat) has demonstrated that a significant number of casualties can
be successfully resuscitated if CPR is provided promptly and followed by more
advanced cardiac life support. Prompt response is critical. The American Heart
Association reports that the longer CPR is delayed, the lower the survival rate.
SECTION II. RESCUE BREATHING
1-8.
INTRODUCTION
A person who is not breathing will die in a short time because the cells are not
receiving a fresh supply of oxygen. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, in this case, one-
rescuer CPR, is a method by which the rescuer forces air into the casualty's lungs. The
casualty's blood can then pick up oxygen from the air that has been forced into his
lungs. Even though the air comes from the rescuer, it still contains plenty of oxygen.
When the rescuer stops blowing air through the casualty's mouth (or nose) and breaks
the seal over the casualty's mouth (or nose), the casualty's body will exhale without
assistance from the rescuer. Thus, CPR acts as a substitute for the normal inhaling and
exhaling process.
1-9.
RESCUE BREATHING PROCEDURE
a. Evaluation (Assessment) Phase. If you see someone lying on the ground
not moving, evaluate the situation first. Part of this evaluation is simply observing the
surroundings. Does it appear that the person could have been injured in a traffic
accident, by a fall, or by some other violent accident? If any of these accidents could
have occurred, consider that the casualty could have a spinal fracture and take some
special precautions if you must perform CPR. If you cannot see any evidence of an
accident, the casualty may have suffered a heart attack without a spinal injury. Another
part of the evaluation is a quick check to see if the person really is unconscious. Tap
the casualty on the shoulder. Shake him gently (take care not to cause additional
MD0571
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