August 20, 2025

Haden Acfalle

George Washington High School

11th Grade

CPR—or cardiopulmonary resuscitation—is a lifesaving procedure performed during cardiac or respiratory arrest that involves chest compressions, commonly combined with artificial ventilation, to protect brain function and sustain circulation. This procedure is repeated until natural breathing and heartbeat are restored. Thanks to Peter Safar and James Elam—both credited for pioneering cardiopulmonary resuscitation—it is widely known for its global impact in saving millions of lives.

Well…how does CPR help maintain blood circulation during cardiac arrest? When performing CPR, chest compressions allow blood to be manually pumped, sending oxygen-containing blood through the heart and body. This imitates the heart’s natural pumping action.

If cardiac arrest lasts for more than five minutes without medical attention or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, brain damage is likely to occur. Death is likely if cardiac arrest lasts for more than eight minutes without CPR.

CPR is fairly easy to perform; therefore, anyone can learn how to use it in case of an emergency. Here are the steps to cardiopulmonary resuscitation:

Step 1: Call 911

• Before assessing anyone, you must make sure to dial the emergency hotline to ensure that the victim in need of medical help is provided with professional care before going about any procedure.  

Step 2: Assess the Scene of the Emergency

• Evaluate the situation and ensure the safety of you and your surroundings. Assess the scene of the emergency and the condition of the victim. Watch the victim’s chest fall, as this will indicate whether they’re unresponsive or unable to breathe regularly. If their chest does not fall, begin CPR immediately.

Step 3: Open the Victim’s Airway

• Lay the victim flat on their back; however, be cautious about moving their body if you think they experienced a head or neck injury. While the victim is lying flat on their back, tilt their head back and slowly lift their jaw. You should also check to see if there is an object blocking their airway.

Step 4: Check for Breathing

• While the victim’s airway is open, lower your ear over their mouth and listen for about 10 seconds. If you don’t hear or see any signs of breathing, immediately begin CPR. When the victim is gasping for air, you must still proceed with CPR. When the victim is not responding but is breathing at a normal pace, you do not need to perform CPR, although you must still pay attention to their breathing regularly until paramedics arrive.

Step 5: Chest Compressions

• Place one hand over the other to begin chest compressions and engage your fingers. Place your hands on the center of the chest below the breastbone, straightening your arms—apply your whole body weight, and press firmly at least two inches deep with a compression rate of 100 to 120 per minute. Allow the chest to rise to its normal position after each compression.

Step 6: Rescue Breaths 

• Be sure that the airway is still open by tilting the victim’s head back while lifting the chin. Ensure that the nose is shut and place your mouth to get ready for rescue breaths. Blow into the victim’s mouth, giving two rescue breaths, and watch their chest to see if it rises. If not, you may need to reposition the airway. 

Step 7: Repeat the Cycle

• Continue the steps of CPR until professional medical assistance arrives. If someone in the area is also trained in CPR, you can take turns to ensure that you don’t become worn out.                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is composed of two major components—chest compressions and artificial ventilation. Chest compressions allow blood to pump manually through the heart, whereas artificial respirations (or rescue breaths) provide oxygen to the lungs. 

Chest compressions apply intrathoracic pressure, allowing the heart to compress and propel blood forward. Effective compressions maintain coronary perfusion pressure during the relaxation phase of compressions. Coronary perfusion pressure is crucial for blood flow and is a primary determinant for leveling blood circulation. 

Ventilation transfers oxygen to the lungs and helps maintain blood oxygenation. However, positive-pressure ventilation can decrease coronary perfusion pressure by increasing intrathoracic pressure and delaying blood transfer to the heart. For that reason, adequate ventilation and minimizing distractions to chest compressions are critical for balancing both components.

So the next time you spot an unresponsive person or someone gasping for air… REACT QUICK! Learning about CPR could help the spread of knowledge throughout the world, saving one life and many breaths at a time.