Chances of survival are doubled if help is provided within four minutes
CPR Basics
During cardiac arrest, the heart stops pumping blood, depriving the brain and other vital organs of oxygen. Chest compressions help manually circulate blood through the body, providing critical blood flow until advanced medical care can be delivered.
High-quality chest compressions are essential. Compressions that are too shallow, too slow, or interrupted too often reduce blood flow to the brain and heart. Each interruption lowers the effectiveness of CPR, and it takes several compressions to rebuild adequate circulation once compressions resume.
CPR does not guarantee survival, but it greatly improves outcomes. When CPR is started within four minutes of cardiac arrest and defibrillation is provided within ten minutes, survival rates can reach approximately 40 percent.
CPR provides a small but vital flow of oxygenated blood to the brain and heart, helping keep these organs alive. In this way, cardiopulmonary resuscitation acts as both an artificial heartbeat and an artificial respirator until the heart can be restored to a normal rhythm or emergency equipment arrives.
Remember the CABs of CPR: Compressions, Airway, and Breathing.