Question

Why is it important to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation?

Answer 1

Exhaled air contains plenty of oxygen.

Explanation:

Reference on Breathing Please see the section entitled, Composition.

You are not supposed to inhale high concentrations of `CO_2` but, when you inhale air, your body absorbs only `4% " to " 6%` of the oxygen present in the air and replaces it with about the same amount of `CO_2`. Therefore, the exhaled air contains between `13% and 16%` `O_2` and `4% " to " 6%" CO_2` this atmosphere is fine for the purpose of resuscitating an individual in distress.

Answer 2

Everybody, not only doctors and lifesavers, should learn how to perform cardio-pulmonary respiration and mouth to mouth resuscitation.

Explanation:

According to this site, the air we exhale contains about 17% oxygen. The air normally inhaled contains about 21% oxygen.

In a scenario that requires mouth to mouth resuscitation, expired air thus contains enough oxygen to sustain oxygen transfer to the blood system of a patient who is not breathing. Of course, in these scenarios, the main problem is to find someone who is confident and decisive enough to take action. If you take a course (which are sometimes paid for by schools and companies) you often get that confidence, and you may save someone's life.