If we breathe out carbon dioxide why does CPR work?

Question

If we breathe out carbon dioxide why does CPR work?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Aside from the comments below, I would add that a fair percent of the air that you breath in, never makes it to the alveoli in the lungs to be exchanged for CO2. All the air that just makes it into your upper airway, trachea and bronchi is still 21% oxygen. So the first several seconds of exhaled air is still oxygen saturated. (But as already noted…mouth to mouth is never done anymore…occasionally mouth to one way mask)