History of CPR

            Today most people understand CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, as a combination of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and intervals of chest compressions. It is a basic lifesaving technique that has prevented countless deaths for over half a century. It is a skill that is available for anyone to learn, not just doctors and medical emergency personnel.

The history of how CPR became an important preventive measure is quite interesting. This history is chronologically organized on the American Heart Association’s website.” As early as 1740, the Paris Academy of Sciences officially recommended mouth-to-mouth resuscitation for drowning victims” (AHA.org), and in 1767 “the Society for the Recovery of Drowned Persons became the first organized effort to deal with sudden and unexpected death” (AHA.org).

These two facts are curious finds that both suggest that the need to develop some sort of lifesaving technique did not stem from military campaigns or health epidemics. It would appear that mouth-to-mouth resuscitation became necessary as a preventive measure from drowning.

Since the Paris Academy of Science’s archives are closed to online researchers, a quick perusal through the Society for the Recovery of Drowned Persons’ website offers the most accurate clarification of the matter. According to the Society’s website, then, swimming was not considered a popular sport and was not taught to children during the eighteenth century (1700s). In fact, “In 1773, the year before the Society was founded, 123 people were reported to have drowned in London alone” (Royalhumanesociety.org).

Originally, the Society paid anyone who rescued someone from the water and provided a place for treatment. Eventually the Society was extended across England to include high risk areas—coastal areas where drowning occurs more often. Today, the Society continues to recognize those who have saved or who have attempted to save a life by awarding commendations.

Geographically speaking, both France and England have coastal areas. Furthermore, if learning to swim was not considered a priority in England during the 1700s, it is reasonable to assume the same was also true in France.

The response for both countries with regard to drowning was the same: it became necessary to not only research but to also implement a lifesaving technique that could sustain life long enough for patients to be examined by doctors and other health care professionals. Thus, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, followed by chest compressions and more commonly known today as CPR, were conceived.

Fortunately, since the 1700s, swimming has gained in popularity as both a recreational activity and also as a competitive sport. Unlike the past, both adults and children are now given the opportunity to learn how to swim.

Unfortunately, however, deaths from drowning have not been completely eradicated in any country, and even experienced swimmers have been known to drown. Thankfully, and largely due to the efforts of organizations such as the Paris Academy of Sciences, the Recovery of Drowned Persons’ Society, and the American Heart Association, drowning victims, in addition to a variety of other kinds of medical emergency victims, have an increased chance of survival. This increased chance of survival would not be possible without knowledge and implementation of the lifesaving technique known as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, CPR.

If you are looking to take a CPR class in San Jose, the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross provide renewal classes to the public for a small fee.

Safety Training Seminars of San Jose celebrates CPR’s 50th Anniversary

Breathing with compressions on the chest was invented half a cenury ago to create cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Even though the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association have changed their guidelines over the years, the basics are still valid: breath and press until the amubulance arrives.
Here are five Everyday CPR Tips for celebrating 50 years of CPR.

1. Organize a CPR certification class at your place of business. Safety Training Seminars offers CPR classes in San Jose as well as other Bay Area cities.  Safety Training Seminars can also come to you and can teach the classes on site.

2. Attend a CPR and First-aid certification class with the whole family. San Jose American Heart Association  offers CPR and First-aid classes in their comfortable classroom in San Francisco. Bring out the whole family on a Saturday so everyone can learn the steps of CPR in case of an emergency.

3. Go to a NERT meeting in San Francisco. San Francisco offers free emergency classes with the Neighborhood Emergency Response Team. In these classes, you can learn about earthquake preparedness, fire safety, and how to move an injured victim.

4. Start up an AED program at work
Automated external defibrillators are the real life-savers. The AED is a portable electronic device that recognizes a VF rhythm and is able to deliver a shock to the heart of the victim with the use of a defibrillator.  Safety Training Seminars offers AED training at company’s location and sells AED’s.

5.  Live a heart healthy life-style
Talk to your family about trying to spend one week eating healthy. It is much easier than you think. You can find good recommendations about eating healthy on the American Heart Association website.