CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)

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KEY POINTS

• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, is a way to give oxygen and to keep the blood flowing when the heart stops beating. It is an emergency procedure that can save lives.
• You can take a class to learn how to give CPR to adults, children, and infants. CPR classes are open to the public and are held in hospitals, fire departments, and community centers.

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What is CPR?

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, is a way to give oxygen and to keep the blood flowing when the heart stops beating. It is an emergency procedure that can save lives.

When is it used?

CPR may be used when a child is not breathing or when their heart is not beating. For example, the heart or breathing may stop because of:

• A bad head or back injury
• Choking on something
• Drowning
• Serious infection
• A severe electrical shock
• An abnormal heart rhythm
• Severe allergic reaction

When this happens, someone should call 911 and the child should be given CPR until he or she starts moving or emergency medical help arrives. If CPR is not done, the child could have brain damage or die in 5 to 10 minutes.

What happens during CPR?

CPR is done by pushing on the child’s chest to keep the blood flowing and blowing air into their lungs to give them some oxygen.

How can I learn CPR?

You can take a class to learn how to give CPR. In classes for adult CPR, information is provided on the signs and symptoms of a stroke or heart attack as well as ways to reduce the risk of developing these problems. Classes are also available for infant and child CPR. It is important that a special class be taken for giving CPR to children because the procedures are different. Some classes combine the training for both adult CPR and infant and child CPR.

CPR classes are open to the public and are held in hospitals, fire departments, and community centers. For information on classes for CPR and other life-saving skills, contact:

• American Heart Association
  800-242-8721
  http://cpr.heart.org/AHAECC/CPRAndECC/FindACourse/UCM_473162_Find-A-Course.jsp
• American Red Cross
  800-733-2767
  http://www.redcross.org/ux/take-a-class