Final answer:
CPR is a life-saving emergency procedure that involves chest compressions to maintain blood flow to the brain and vital organs after the heart has stopped beating.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, is an emergency procedure performed when the heart stops beating, which aims to manually pump blood and provide oxygen to vital organs especially the brain. It involves chest compressions at a specific depth and rate and is primarily focused on maintaining blood circulation rather than providing breaths. Positioning is crucial, and compressions are performed between the T4 and T9 vertebrae on the sternum, emulating the heart's natural function as much as possible in an emergency. This procedure is critical as neurons can suffer irreversible damage within minutes of lost blood flow. The current CPR guidelines emphasize the importance of high-quality chest compressions, which should be at least 5 cm deep and at a rate of 100 compressions per minute—matched to the beat of the song 'Staying Alive.'