The full form of CPR is Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. It is an emergency life-saving procedure that combines rescue breathing and chest compressions. CPR is performed when someones breathing or heartbeat has stopped, which may happen after a medical emergency such as an electric shock, heart attack, or drowning. The procedure is performed to maintain oxygen and blood flow when the heart suddenly stops beating, and it should be given immediately to increase the chances of survival. The term "cardio" refers to the heart, "pulmonary" refers to the lungs, and "resuscitation" stands for "revival".

CPR techniques vary slightly depending on the age or size of the person, including different techniques for adults, children who have reached puberty, children 1 year old until the onset of puberty, and infants (babies less than 1 year of age) . The American Heart Association develops science-based CPR guidelines and is the leader in first aid, CPR, and AED training. The organization recommends that CPR should be performed until the patient is certified dead or the heart rate returns to normal.

CPR is a critical step in the American Heart Associations Chain of Survival, which provides a useful metaphor for the elements of the ECC systems concept. The 6 links in the adult out-of-hospital Chain of Survival are recognition of cardiac arrest and activation of the emergency response system, early CPR, rapid defibrillation, effective advanced life support, integrated post-cardiac arrest care, and recovery.

In summary, the full form of CPR is Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, which is an emergency life-saving procedure that combines rescue breathing and chest compressions. It is performed when someones breathing or heartbeat has stopped, and it should be given immediately to increase the chances of survival. CPR techniques vary slightly depending on the age or size of the person, and it is a critical step in the American Heart Associations Chain of Survival.