The administration of life-saving measures to a person who has suffered a cardiac arrest. A person in cardiac arrest is not breathing and has no detectable pulse or heartbeat. First, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (see artificial respiration) is given; if this fails to restart breathing, repeated chest compressions, using the heel of the hand, are applied to the lower breastbone until trained help arrives. Both these measures are used to restore blood circulation to the brain. Brain damage is likely if the brain is starved of oxygen for more than 3–4 minutes.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation |
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