Final answer:
CPR consists of chest compressions, airway management, and rescue breaths. It is a critical technique to sustain life in emergency situations, emphasizing effective chest compressions. Training is essential for performing CPR safely and correctly.
Step-by-step explanation:
The set of procedures that summarizes what CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is includes chest compressions, opening up a victim's airway, and rescue breaths. Chest compressions are applied to the sternum between the T4 and T9 vertebrae to manually compress the heart and push blood into the pulmonary and systemic circuits, an action that is vital for maintaining blood flow to the brain.
Rescue breaths are provided to supply necessary oxygen to the patient's lungs. Proper technique and training are critically important, as incorrectly performed CPR can lead to severe injury or even be fatal. High-quality chest compressions are emphasized over artificial respiration, especially for untrained bystanders. CPR is typically continued until the patient shows signs of life or is declared deceased by healthcare professionals.