- When performing CPR the victim's chest is compressed, forcing blood out of the heart. This blood is carried to the brain where it delivers the oxygen needed to prevent brain damage from occurring.
- CPR is not intended to restart the heart of a cardiac arrest victim. It is intended as an emergency measure to aid the victim until a defibrillator becomes available.
- The American Heart Association reports the odds of a victim of cardiac arrest surviving drop by nearly ten percent for each minute they do not receive CPR or the aide of a defibrillator.
- It is estimated by the American Heart Association that the odds of survival are as much as doubled if a victim of cardiac arrest receives prompt CPR.
- If a victim of sudden cardiac arrest receives no CPR, irreversible brain damage will begin to occur within four to six minutes. Few victims have been saved who did not receive prompt CPR by a trained provider.
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