What is the primary purpose of CPR?

The primary purpose of CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is to buy time. When a person goes into cardiac arrest, their heart stops pumping blood, and they are unable to breathe. In such situations, immediate CPR helps to keep blood flowing to vital organs, particularly the brain, and maintains a level of oxygenation to prevent irreparable damage. It effectively "buys time" until advanced medical help can arrive to take over definitive care, such as defibrillation or medication.

While restoring consciousness, performing rapid resuscitation, and preventing all injuries are important concepts associated with emergency response, they do not accurately capture the primary purpose of CPR in life-threatening scenarios. The focus of CPR is about maintaining circulation and breathing until definitive treatment can be given, which is why buying time is essential in saving a life.