Elvytystä

Elvytystä, commonly known as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), is an emergency life-saving procedure performed when a person's breathing or heartbeat has stopped. It involves chest compressions and, in some cases, rescue breaths to manually maintain circulation and oxygenation until professional medical help arrives. The primary goal of elvytystä is to prevent brain damage and death due to a lack of oxygen.

The technique typically begins with checking for responsiveness and breathing. If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, chest compressions are initiated. These are performed by pressing down on the center of the chest with firm, rapid strokes. The rate of compressions is usually around 100 to 120 per minute. For trained individuals, rescue breaths may also be administered after a set number of compressions, involving blowing air into the person's lungs.

Elvytystä can be performed by anyone, although formal training is highly recommended to ensure proper technique and effectiveness. Basic life support (BLS) courses teach the fundamentals of elvytystä, including how to recognize cardiac arrest, perform chest compressions, and administer rescue breaths. The availability of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) has also become increasingly important, as they can analyze the heart rhythm and deliver an electrical shock if needed, which can be crucial in cases of sudden cardiac arrest. Continuing elvytystä until emergency medical services take over or the person shows signs of life is vital.