CPR is a life-saving technique that first responders use to revive someone with a cardiac arrest. This simple procedure can make all the difference in a person’s life and has saved countless lives.
In this blog, we’ll look at the history of CPR―from its ancient origins to the development of modern CPR guidelines and the current state of the procedure. We will explore the key milestones and innovations that have shaped the evolution of CPR and how they have led to the effective technique we know today.
Early History Of CPR
The early history of CPR can be traced back to the 18th century, when various methods for artificially restoring breathing and circulation were first developed. However, it was not until the 20th century that CPR, as we know it today, was developed and widely adopted as a medical procedure.
· Ancient Practices And Beliefs Of CPR
The ancient practice of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can be traced back to various civilizations, where different methods of reviving the dead were believed to exist.
In ancient China, “bellows resuscitation” was described in medical texts as a method for reviving people who had stopped breathing. This method involved using a bellow to blow air into the person’s lungs who had stopped breathing.
· Early Documentation Of Chest Compressions And Rescue Breathing
The earliest known documentation of chest compressions and rescue breathing can be traced back to 1664 when W. Croune proposed using bellows to blow air into the lungs of a patient who had stopped breathing. In the 18th century, various other methods were developed, including using a hand-cranked pump to inflate the lungs and mouth-to-mouth to blow air into the lungs.
· Early Versions Of CPR And Their Limitations
Early versions of CPR were ineffective due to the lack of knowledge of the medical principles underlying cardiac arrest. The methods used during the 18th and 19th centuries, such as bellows resuscitation, were based on the belief that the person had simply stopped breathing rather than cardiac arrest.
These early methods were also not based on a systematic approach and lacked any scientific evidence to support their effectiveness. They also did not consider the importance of maintaining circulation and oxygenation to the brain, which is vital in preventing permanent brain damage during cardiac arrest.
Additionally, early versions of CPR did not use advanced technology like an Automated external defibrillator(AED) which has been proven to increase survival rate significantly. Therefore, the early versions of CPR have limited effectiveness compared to current versions.
· Development of Modern CPR
· The Discovery Of Mouth-To-Mouth Ventilation By Peter Safar And James Elam In The 1950s
In the 1950s, a physician and researchers named Dr Peter Safar and James Elam made a significant discovery in the field of CPR. They discovered the importance of providing oxygen to the brain during a cardiac arrest through mouth-to-mouth ventilation. Before this discovery, chest compressions were the only method to revive a person in cardiac arrest.
Dr Safar and Elam realized that a combination of chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth ventilation was crucial to increase the chances of survival during a cardiac arrest. They found that mouth-to-mouth ventilation provided oxygen to the brain and helped to maintain vital signs until advanced medical help could arrive. This discovery laid the foundation for modern CPR as we know it today, which involves a combination of chest compressions and rescue breathing.
· The Creation Of CPR Guidelines By The American Heart Association In The 1960s
With the discovery of the importance of mouth-to-mouth ventilation, the American Heart Association (AHA) began promoting CPR in the 1960s. The AHA created guidelines for CPR, including chest compressions and rescue breathing for a person in cardiac arrest. They also provided training programs for the public to learn the basic techniques of CPR.
The AHA guidelines helped to standardize CPR and made it a widely accepted and practiced procedure. The guidelines were updated regularly to reflect new research and advances in medical technology, and they continue to be the foundation for CPR today. The guidelines also helped to improve the training and quality of CPR, which helped to increase the chances of survival during cardiac arrest.
The AHA’s efforts played a vital role in making CPR a standard of care in the medical field and helped to increase the survival rate of cardiac arrest. The organization’s guidelines and training programs continue to provide the foundation for the modern-day CPR practice, making it an essential life-saving skill for many people.
· The Current State Of CPR
· Advancement Of Technology Used In CPR
CPR technology has advanced greatly in recent years. CPR manikins, for example, now have realistic features that make learning and practicing the procedure easy. Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) have become more compact and user-friendly, allowing easy access in public places. This has greatly improved the chances of survival for people experiencing cardiac arrest.
· Current CPR Guidelines And Certifications
The American Heart Association (AHA) and many other training institutes continue to update their guidelines for CPR, taking into account new research and advances in medical technology. They also offer various levels of CPR certification, such as Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), to help ensure that people performing CPR are knowledgeable and trained to perform the procedure correctly.
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Their experienced instructors provide hands-on training and certification in the latest CPR techniques, as well as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS),aha acls certification and pediatric life support certification.
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· About The Author
Rachel M. is a certified BLS and CPR instructor at CPR, ACLS, & PALS Training Institute. She believes proper training is essential to ensuring everyone is prepared to take action in an emergency. With her expertise and dedication, she makes sure the students learn and perform the most recent and updated techniques for CPR and Emergency Care.
