What is the primary purpose of CPR?

The primary purpose of CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) is to maintain blood flow to vital organs, particularly the brain and heart, during a cardiac arrest when the heart stops beating effectively. When the heart is not pumping blood, vital organs can quickly suffer from a lack of oxygen, leading to permanent damage or death. By performing CPR, you are manually compressing the chest, which helps to push blood through the circulatory system, thus preserving essential functions and buying time until advanced medical help arrives.

While restoring normal breathing and enhancing lung capacity are important aspects of overall respiratory health, in the context of CPR, the immediate concern is ensuring that blood is circulated to prevent organ failure. Preventing hypothermia is not a direct purpose of CPR; it may be a factor to consider in overall care but isn't the primary objective during resuscitation efforts.