Is CPR and First Aid the Same Thing?

Recent statistics show that more than 70% of sudden cardiac arrests occur at home or in other private settings.

Whether you’re planning for an emergency, knowing how to respond to emergencies is an important life skill.

Knowing how to do CPR and first aid can mean the difference between life and death. Do you know what courses to take and how CPR and first aid are different from each other?

Continue reading to learn more about the importance of CPR and first aid and how you can keep yourself and others safe.

The Difference Between CPR and First Aid

Although CPR and first aid are necessary, they are not the same. CPR is a lifesaving technique to restart a person’s heart when it has stopped. First aid is the initial assistance given to a person who has an injury or has suddenly become ill.

CPR is a more aggressive intervention used in emergencies when a person’s life is in danger. First aid, on the other hand, is typically used for less severe injuries and illnesses.

How to Perform

To perform CPR, first, check to see if the person is unresponsive and not breathing. If they are, call 911 and start chest compressions by pushing down in the center of the person’s chest with the heel of your hand. Continue chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 per minute until help arrives.

To provide first aid, you must assess the person’s condition and decide the best course of action. If the person is bleeding, apply direct pressure to the wound. If the person is not breathing, start CPR. If the person is having a seizure, protect them from injury and do not try to stop the seizure.

When to Use CPR

In an emergency, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can help save a person’s life if their breathing or heart stops.

A person is in cardiac arrest when their heart stops beating. The heart cannot pump blood to the rest of the body during cardiac arrest, including the brain and lungs.

Without treatment, death can occur in a matter of minutes. CPR uses chest compressions to simulate the heart’s pumping action. These compressions support the body’s natural blood circulation.

Even while undergoing a heart attack, a person can still speak and breathe. Although this person does not require CPR, they do need to be sent immediately to a hospital.

First Aid for Common Injuries

First aid is the immediate care given to someone who has been injured. First aid for common injuries includes stopping the bleeding, applying pressure to a wound, and using a splint to immobilize a broken bone.

First aid and CPR training are very important for a person. If you want to perform, you need to have CPR and first aid certifications.

Saving Lives Is Our Top Priority

CPR and first aid are two essential lifesaving skills, but they are not the same.

Knowing both CPR and first aid can help you be prepared to save a life. CPR is an emergency procedure that should only be used when a person’s heart has stopped beating. First aid is a set of skills and knowledge that can be used to care for various minor injuries and illnesses.

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