The History of CPR

With all of the information available today, it is interesting to note that the recommendations for mouth to mouth resuscitation, can be traced back to the 1700′s, by the Paris Academy of Sciences. It was specifically recommended for drowning victims. In 1903 the first successful use of cardiac massage is documented as being performed by Dr. Friedrich Maass.

As the years progressed, so did the methods of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation. The purpose of CPR, is to maintain a certain degree of blood flow in a person, that has suffered either respiratory arrest (stopped breathing), or cardiac arrest (heart stopped beating). While CPR will keep a reasonable amount of blood flowing through the body, in an effort to prevent brain damage, caused by lack of oxygen, it rarely will stimulate a heart that is no longer beating.

In the mid 1900′s artificial respiration was used as a help for drowning victims. Placing the victim on their stomach, with the head turned and the hands under their body, the person performing artificial respiration would kneel at the persons head, and compress the body just below the rib cage. This was followed by grasping the elbows and pulling them toward the patients head. This was done repeatedly, at a rate of fourteen to sixteen times per minute. It did in fact prove successful in some instances.

As CPR evolved, chest compressions on the breast bone accompanied by mouth to mouth resuscitation became the preferred method. The technique has changed over the years with pros and cons about every part of the procedure. The American Heart Association has set standards for training and for the procedure itself. The only valid way of preventing brain damage is to start CPR within seven minutes of the arrest.

Later it was discovered that compressions below the rib cage, in the abdominal area, may be just as effective and prevent potential damage to the ribs. This is still debatable but is being used in some instances. Medicine and the techniques performed are in a constant evolution and will continue to change as time goes by.

Adult victims need to be compressed with the heels of two hands, while children should be compressed with one hand and babies with two fingers. The rate of compression is, at this time, the same. It should be at least 100 times per minute. The use of mouth to mouth is not practiced as widely as it was in the past. Civilians who did not have resus masks were hesitant to give mouth to mouth to complete strangers, for fear of disease. The fact that compressions without mouth to mouth, have proven effective if properly administered, has proven to be an asset. The method of compressions without mouth to mouth is called cardiocerebral resuscitation or CCR.

The University of Arizona’s Heart Center has stated that the compression only method has a 300% greater success rate, than the former compression plus mouth to mouth. Still if CPR is started immediately after a victims heart stops, or he quits breathing, the rate of success is much greater than if someone is found and CPR is begun at a later time.

CPR or CCR classes are available in many places. The American Heart Association, the American Red Cross and many local public safety organizations provide the classes to the community. Classes are also available online.

This website is dedicated to CPR and First Aid

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Making sure you select the right Online CPR Classes

A knowledge of both CPR and First Aid is important, you just never know when you are going to need it. You can find yourself in a situation where  you could save a life.

You can find many good Online CPR classes, but there are some things you need to know before you sign up for just any website.

The online course should ideally carry national accreditation and  meet the international guidelines of the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Conference, and the American Heart Association.

For some certification is a necessity, mostly for people in certain occupations.

Many people looking for CPR certification  or CPR recertification,  don’t have the time for a traditional class. Others from rural areas may not be able to find classes nearby, and for some the cost of classes is inhibiting. For all these, Online CPR classes may provide a better alternative, as  a number of these classes that are fully accredited are relatively inexpensive.

You should be able to find an online CPR class that is within your budget.  Look over a number of websites, and  find a class that meets all the criteria important to your circumstances.

American Red Cross Training.

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Babysitters, parents, grandparents and even siblings should all be keen to attend a  short course in Baby First Aid. By learning baby first aid it will help you to maintain a calm approach to any injury, your baby may suffer.

Babies are quite helpless, and any number of accidents may happen very suddenly. Babies fall, touch things they shouldn’t, and just love to put things in their mouths. Here are a few baby first aid measures that hopefully will never have to be used.

Infant CPR

Carers, parents, grandparents and others who are responsible for the care and safety of an infant can now learn the life saving skill of Infant CPR and the relief of choking in just a few minutes. More information on the Baby First Aid page.

Below is a video on Infant CPR.

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The development and updating of the techniques, and the teaching  of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, methodology, has proven to be a life saving measure, that the American Heart Association CPR people have fine tuned.

They  offer CPR classes using fully trained and accredited, professional instructors, in a  number of locations. Often, public safety organizations, also offer this type of course as a service to the community as well. Also very important is the mandatory training,  required by health care professionals and child care providers.

Beginning CPR within the first six minutes of heart arrest, can prevent the majority of any brain damage, and can ensure adequate oxygen flow to other vital organs until help arrives.

For those unable to attend CPR classes in person, there are now available self-paced Online CPR  classes on the internet. This means the valuable techniques taught, are now easily learned by everyone.

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The AED Defibrillator

An Automated External Defibrillator or AED is an electronic device that can diagnose certain life threatening heart conditions.

The devices are designed for use by non medical staff who have some training in their use. First responders such as fire fighters and police officers, usually will be trained in their use.

Some CPR classes and basic life support classes  also include AED defibrillator training.

The video shows how to use a Defibrillator.

On occasions where the heart is active but the  rhythm increased or irregular, can be life threatening. Increased rate of the heart may prevent adequate blood flow, and chaotic, irregular rate will not allow effective pumping of the blood.

The use of drugs, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation may assist to reestablish a  rhythm. If not treated promptly, ineffective blood flow will eventually lead to permanent brain damage and even death . Every minute is important.

AEDs’ can be found in public areas such as sports stadiums, concerts, restaurants, railway and bus stations, schools, gyms, and other places where crowds form.

Emergency vehicles are now likely to have them available. The AED can analyze the condition, and then provide a voice instruction to the user, and may also have visual prompts. After connecting the pads to the patient, the AED defibrillator assesses the rhythm, and decides if it is a treatable arrhythmia. An internal battery is used to administer the shock.

All metal objects, such as piercings, dentures etc, should be removed from the victim before treatment commences, and onlookers should be kept at a distance to ensure the safety of all.

More information at AED Defibrillation.

Defibrillator

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You should ensure that you use only the best quality First Aid Supplies and medical supplies in your First Aid Cabinet or Kit. Make certain to choose only reliable companies, with a good reputation. These companies will only carry the highest quality  supplies available. These are companies you can rely on when your family or friends or employees lives are possibly at stake. Reputable companies will research, develop and distribute only premium quality products. For more compehensive information:: First Aid Supplies.

Quality First Aid Supplies

First Aid Kit

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CPR can be very effectively taught through several venues, including the American Heart Association. With a quick web search, you can find low cost and even free lessons to teach you this vital life saving technique.

Online CPR

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