CPR – Providing CPR as a first aid for cardiac arrest.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is something that was first mentioned in the bible. It was only "rediscovered" in the 1960s when mouth-to-mouth ventilation and chest compression were combined to create an artificial blood circulation.

CPR is performed following cardiac arrest and does not restart the heart but maintains a flow of oxygenated blood to the brain and the heart.

This first aid medical procedure gives those victims of cardiac arrest a greater chance of survival.

A cardiac arrest results in the heart going from a normal heartbeat to ventricular fibrillation, which is fatal if untreated. Performing CPR on the victim will give an ambulance crew time to arrive at the scene and administer an electric shock, which is called defibrillation, to restart the heart.

First Aid Training

Many people undertake first aid training courses whether it is as part of their employment or to gain employment with an extra skill on their resume. CPR is taught as part of first aid training courses conducted by community organisations.

You can find out more about first aid training courses through the St. John Ambulance and the Red Cross with contact details, including phone numbers provided in our directory listings.

About CPR

• CPR was invented in the 1960s.
• Performing CPR on a person that has a cardiac arrest will double their chance of survival.
• There is no history of HIV being transmitted by mouth to mouth CPR.

Questions about CPR

When should I stop performing CPR?

You should continue to perform CPR on the victim until help arrives or they start to move regaining consciousness.

What if I’m alone and need to perform CPR?

Don’t panic, you can dial 000 and an operator can instruct you over the phone. Remember, if a person goes into cardiac arrest they are already clinically dead. You can’t kill them, you can only save them.

Do you perform CPR differently on infants?

Yes. When performing CPR on infants you only need to use two or three fingers in the center of the chest and just blow air for a second.

Should I move somebody involved in an accident to perform CPR?

If somebody isn’t breathing and you’re worried about them sustaining permanent injury if you move them, remember that if you don’t move them and perform CPR that they will be dead.

Will CPR always save a life?

Sadly, no it won’t. CPR gives the person who has suffered a cardiac arrest a 30% chance of survival should a defibrillator arrive quickly to restart the heart.

CPR Demonstration

Please visit our directory listings if you would like to sign up for a first aid course and learn how to do CPR correctly.