C.P.R.

"Studies have found that more people would survive a cardiac arrest if an Ambulance was called immediately and if Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) was commenced straight away," said RAV Clinical Services Manager Tony Walker.

CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Cardio refers to the heart, pulmonary refers to the lungs. CPR is a manual life support system that delivers oxygen to the brain, heart and other vital organs. Without this oxygen a person will die.

CPR involves blowing air into a person's lungs by mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to get oxygen into the person, and pushing on their chest to pump their heart to maintain circulation.

It is critical that CPR is started as soon as possible following a cardiac arrest and that it is done effectively. CPR saves lives as it buys time for a person until Ambulance Paramedics arrive.

Download a free CPR chart from the Rural Ambulance Victoria in PDF - CPR Chart.