What does CPR stand for ?

CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

That is,

Cardio	- which refers to the heart
		whose main function is to pump blood around the body

Pulmonary	- which refers to the lungs
		whose main function is to receive oxygen from the air (called external respiration) and supply it to the blood (via internal respiration) as blood is pumped through the lungs by the heart which receives back the oxygenated blood to circulate around the whole body

Resuscitation

- which means to revive from death or unconsciousness

CPR is taught on First Aid courses. Knowing when and how to perform CPR can save lives.

This short video clip summarizes the history and main principles of CPR:

The next question is "How do you do CPR" ?

The answer is to participate in an approved First Aid course to learn the necessary skills from a qualified instructor.

The CPR techniques demonstrated in the following First Aid video have been made available on the internet via YouTube. The video demonstrates how to perform CPR on human adults. Different advice and training videos are available for children, babies and pets (dogs and cats).

CPR Training Video (UK) - November 2009:

Videos can be informative but watching demonstrations is not as good as learning CPR in person by taking part in an approved course with instruction from a qualified First Aid teacher. Participating in person also provides the experience of practicing using realistic equipment.

Some people receive first aid training as part of their job (which could be either a full-time or a part-time job) or as part of the training recommended for participation in certain sports or other physical activities.

First Aid training and advice changes over time and over time people can forget what they have learnt, especially things like CPR that (hopefully) they have not needed to use. It is therefore recommended that people with responsibility for the care of others do regular First Aid training to keep their knowledge up-to-date.

This is the end of the page about What does CPR stand for ?

For other First Aid information see DRABC Procedure, the Recovery Position and R.I.C.E. Treatment.