When a person breathes, oxygen enters the lungs and is absorbed into the bloodstream. The heart then pumps this oxygen-rich blood throughout the body, supplying essential organs and tissues. However, when the heart suddenly stops beating—a condition known as cardiac arrest—oxygen circulation ceases, and the body begins to shut down.
In adults and the elderly, cardiac arrest is most often caused by heart-related conditions, while in children and infants, it is more commonly due to respiratory failure or severe trauma. In many cases, cardiac arrest begins with an erratic, uncoordinated heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation (VF), before the heart stops altogether. Once the heart stops, oxygen deprivation quickly leads to cellular death. Brain damage can begin within four to six minutes, and death is likely within 10 minutes if circulation isn’t restored.
This is where Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) comes in. Properly administered, CPR acts as an artificial heartbeat and breathing mechanism, manually circulating oxygenated blood to delay tissue death and increase the chances of survival until advanced medical help arrives.
To perform CPR effectively, remember the acronym C-A-B:
Mastering these fundamentals can make the difference between life and death in an emergency. Let’s dive deeper into each component and how to apply them correctly.