Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure performed when someone's heart stops beating or they stop breathing. CPR involves chest compressions to manually pump blood and rescue breaths to provide oxygen, maintaining circulation until emergency medical services arrive or the heart restarts. Early CPR dramatically improves survival odds for cardiac arrest. Basic CPR training teaches these skills and is widely available through organizations like St. John Ambulance, Heart and Stroke Foundation, and local health organizations. Many public places have automated external defibrillators (AEDs) that can restore normal heart rhythm. Learning CPR empowers citizens to help save lives in emergencies.