CPR stands for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

It is a life-saving emergency procedure that is performed when someone's heart stops beating or they stop breathing, such as in cases of cardiac arrest, drowning, or choking.

CPR In Simple Terms:

"Cardio" refers to the heart.
"Pulmonary" refers to the lungs.
"Resuscitation" means reviving someone from unconsciousness or death.

What CPR Does:

Maintains blood flow to the brain and vital organs.
Buys time until advanced medical help (like defibrillation or emergency services) arrives.

CPR Includes:

Chest Compressions - Pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest to pump blood.
Rescue Breaths (in some cases) - Giving breaths through the mouth to provide oxygen.

When to Perform CPR:

The person is unconscious, not breathing, or not breathing normally (gasping).
Call emergency services first, then begin CPR immediately.

Key Facts:

CPR can double or triple a person's chance of survival in a cardiac arrest.
Even hands-only CPR (chest compressions without mouth-to-mouth) can be effective.