Final answer:
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a life-sustaining technique composed of chest compressions and artificial ventilation used during cardiac arrest to maintain vital blood flow and oxygenation to the body's organs until the heart can resume beating on its own or until medical intervention can take place.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sequence of techniques used to sustain life in the absence of spontaneous breathing and a heartbeat is known as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). CPR involves a combination of chest compressions and artificial ventilation to maintain circulatory flow and oxygenation during cardiac arrest. When the heart stops, totally lacking normal electrical activity, the absence of contractions results in no blood flow to essential organs, such as the brain and kidneys.
During CPR, pressure is applied to the sternum, compressing the heart and forcing blood through the circulatory system. This manual action is crucial for maintaining a supply of oxygen to the brain, reducing the risk of severe brain damage or death. It is typically performed until the heart regains spontaneous contractions or the individual is declared deceased by a healthcare professional. Current recommendations advise chest compressions reaching at least 5 cm in depth at a rate of about 100 compressions per minute.