Final answer:
CPR is an emergency technique involving chest compressions and sometimes rescue breathing, intended to maintain blood circulation when the heart stops. Proper CPR should be performed by trained individuals and includes compressions at a specific rhythm. Training is essential for effective and safe application.
Step-by-step explanation:
CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a life-saving technique that combines chest compressions and, in some cases, rescue breathing. The purpose of CPR is to manually pump blood through the heart into the body's circulation, particularly critical for brain health, as the neurons can suffer irreversible damage from loss of blood flow. This emergency procedure should only be performed by individuals who are properly trained, as incorrect application can lead to complications such as broken ribs or other severe damage. When the hands are placed on the sternum between the T4 and T9 vertebrae and compressions are done at least 5 cm deep at a rate of 100 per minute, consistent with the tempo of the song 'Staying Alive', sufficient blood can be manually pushed into the pulmonary and systemic circuits. The compression technique can maintain blood flow until the heart resumes beating or until a healthcare professional can take over. Additionally, CPR courses, vital for proper application, are widely available for both medical personnel and the general public.