What is the main goal of CPR?

The main goal of CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) is to maintain circulation and breathing until professional help arrives or until the victim resumes normal function. When a person experiences cardiac arrest, their heart stops beating, which leads to a cessation of blood flow to vital organs, including the brain. This interruption can quickly cause serious damage, so CPR helps to manually circulate blood and provide oxygen to the brain and other vital organs.

By maintaining circulation and breathing through chest compressions and rescue breaths, CPR buys time for emergency services to take over and increases the chances of survival. While reviving the person is an inherently desired outcome of CPR, the immediate focus of the technique is on sustaining circulation and oxygenation to prevent further harm until advanced medical help is available.

Actions such as calling for emergency services, while critical to the overall emergency response, are not part of the direct mechanics of CPR itself. Hence, although communication with emergency responders is essential, the primary objective during the application of CPR is to keep blood flowing and ensure oxygen continues to reach the body's vital systems.