Emergency Resuscitation (CPR)

Emergency resuscitation is a life-saving emergency procedure that involves breathing for the victim and applying external chest compression to make the heart pump. It is also known as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Jason's father, Elroy, is a 42-year-old man who owns his own auto repair business. He has been in business for 16 years and has 12 employees, including mechanics and support staff, many of whom have been with him for more than 10 years. Elroy's business has many long-term and repeat customers. He tries to be a good employer, providing health benefits and a retirement plan that employees can buy into. Recent legislative changes have made him change how he provides health insurance and retirement benefits for his employees. Changes in the economy have also affected the way he does business. Elroy is married with three children, and the oldest will be starting college next year. He has been under heavy stress trying to manage his business and his family. As Elroy sits in his office, he starts to feel dizzy, with chest pain that goes to his left shoulder, neck, and jaw. He calls out to his secretary, who enters the office and finds him slumped over his desk. His secretary yells, “Elroy! Are you okay?” Elroy does not respond; he has no pulse and is not breathing. The secretary calls out to one of the mechanics to call 9-1-1 as she starts emergency resuscitation.

Emergency resuscitation is the implementation of emergency measures when a person stops breathing or when a person's heart stops beating. There are two types of emergency resuscitation: cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillation (AED). When people perform CPR, they breathe for the person who has stopped breathing, and they perform chest compressions to stimulate a heartbeat to pump oxygenated blood to the body's organs and tissues. An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable device that can be used to deliver an electrical shock to the heart through the chest wall. The shock can stop an irregular heartbeat or rhythm and convert it to a normal heartbeat or rhythm.

Emergency resuscitation is performed when a person's breathing has stopped (respiratory arrest) or heartbeat has stopped (cardiac arrest). Respiratory or cardiac arrest may occur in someone who is having a heart attack; drowned; experienced an electrical shock or smoke inhalation from a fire; had a severe allergic reaction; or overdosed on drugs. Respirations should be started as soon as someone trained in CPR determines that breathing has stopped. Similarly, chest compressions should be started as soon as a trained person determines that the heartbeat has stopped.

Anyone can learn to perform CPR; there is no minimum age requirement. Children as young as nine years old have learned and successfully performed CPR. As long as a person has the physical ability to administer respirations and to perform chest compressions, he or she can learn CPR. Teachers, babysitters, people who work in children's daycare centers, sports coaches, lifeguards, firefighters, and security guards learn CPR. Many people learn CPR as part of their job requirements or to be better prepared in case an emergency occurs. Healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, dentists, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians, are required to be certified in CPR.

Usually, people working in areas where they have contact with large numbers of people learn to use an AED, including police officers, fire personnel, security guards, airline attendants, sports coaches, and so on. Firefighters and police officers often have AEDs in their vehicles. AEDs can also be found in many public places, including airports, airplanes, shopping malls, schools, churches, and department stores.

The following is a summary of the steps of CPR. The reader should note that the information provided here does not take the place of a certified course in CPR.

If the person starts breathing again, place him or her in a comfortable position and monitor the person until help arrives.

Both the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Red Cross (ARC) provide courses in CPR. Several courses in CPR serve the needs of different learners. “Family & Friends CPR,” an AHA course, provides basic CPR training and is helpful for anyone who is not a health professional. Some people are required to take a CPR course for their employment. The best course for these people is the “Heartsaver CPR AED” course (an AHA course). People who work with children can take the “Pediatric First Aid CPR AED” course, which provides specific information on performing CPR or using an AED on children. Emergency medical technicians, police officers, and other first responders are required to complete the “Basic Life Support for Prehospital Providers” course offered by the AHA. Courses are offered in small-group sessions as well as online.

There are many places where a person can learn to perform CPR. The ARC and the AHA have created standardized CPR classes. AHA courses are available online. Many hospitals, schools, fire stations, and community cen ters sponsor CPR classes for residents of the community. People can check the Internet for a CPR class located in their community or call the local fire department and hospital community education department to determine whether a CPR class is offered nearby.

See also Drowning • Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction) • Substance Abuse • Toxic Inhalation Injuries