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'''Peter Safar''' (April 12, 1924 – August 3, 2003) was an Austrian-American physician, researcher, and teacher who is often referred to as the "father of [[cardiopulmonary resuscitation]] (CPR)." His pioneering work in the field of resuscitation has saved countless lives and his contributions to [[emergency medicine]] and [[critical care]] have been foundational in the development of modern [[paramedicine]].
{{short description|Austrian physician and pioneer in cardiopulmonary resuscitation}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
 
'''Peter Safar''' (April 12, 1924 – August 2, 2003) was an Austrian physician known for his pioneering work in the field of [[cardiopulmonary resuscitation]] (CPR). Often referred to as "The Father of CPR," Safar's contributions to emergency medicine have saved countless lives worldwide.


==Early Life and Education==
==Early Life and Education==
Peter Safar was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1924. He pursued his medical education at the University of Vienna, where he received his medical degree in 1948. After completing his medical studies, Safar moved to the United States to further his training and research in [[anesthesiology]] and resuscitation.
Peter Safar was born in [[Vienna]], [[Austria]], into a family of physicians. He pursued his medical education at the [[University of Vienna]], where he developed an interest in [[anesthesiology]]. After completing his studies, Safar moved to the [[United States]] to further his training.


==Career and Contributions==
==Career and Contributions==
In the 1950s, Safar began his career in the United States, where he focused on improving methods of artificial ventilation and airway management. He was instrumental in developing the concept of "mouth-to-mouth" resuscitation, which became a cornerstone of CPR. Safar's work extended to the development of the [[Ambu bag]], a self-inflating manual resuscitator that is widely used in emergency situations to provide positive pressure ventilation.
Safar's career in the United States began at the [[University of Pennsylvania]], where he worked as an anesthesiologist. It was here that he began to develop his ideas about emergency medical care and resuscitation.
 
===Development of CPR===
In the 1950s, Safar collaborated with [[James Elam]] to develop the technique of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. This method was a significant advancement over previous techniques and laid the groundwork for modern CPR. Safar's research demonstrated the effectiveness of mouth-to-mouth ventilation in saving lives during cardiac arrest.


Safar also played a key role in establishing the first intensive care unit (ICU) in the United States at Baltimore City Hospital, now known as Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. His vision for a multidisciplinary approach to critical care helped shape the modern ICU.
[[File:Peter_Safar.jpg|thumb|right|Peter Safar, the "Father of CPR"]]


In addition to his clinical work, Safar was a passionate educator. He founded the International Resuscitation Research Center (now the Safar Center for Resuscitation Research) at the University of Pittsburgh, where he conducted groundbreaking research on cerebral resuscitation and the management of traumatic brain injury. Safar's work in this area laid the groundwork for the development of therapeutic hypothermia, a treatment that has been shown to improve outcomes after cardiac arrest.
===The ABCs of Resuscitation===
Safar introduced the "ABCs" of resuscitation: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation. This systematic approach became the foundation of CPR training and is still taught worldwide. His work emphasized the importance of maintaining an open airway, providing artificial ventilation, and ensuring circulation through chest compressions.


==Legacy==
===Emergency Medical Services===
Peter Safar's contributions to medicine have had a lasting impact on the fields of emergency medicine, anesthesiology, and critical care. His work has saved countless lives and continues to influence the practice of medicine worldwide. Safar's legacy is honored through the Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, which continues to advance the field of resuscitation science.
In addition to his work on CPR, Safar was instrumental in developing modern [[emergency medical services]] (EMS). He advocated for the establishment of ambulance services staffed by trained paramedics, which greatly improved pre-hospital care for patients experiencing medical emergencies.


==Selected Publications==
==Later Life and Legacy==
Safar published extensively throughout his career. Some of his notable works include:
Peter Safar continued to work in the field of emergency medicine throughout his life. He founded the [[International Resuscitation Research Center]] at the [[University of Pittsburgh]], where he conducted research on improving resuscitation techniques and outcomes.
* ''The ABC of Resuscitation'' (1957)
* ''Advances in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation'' (1977)
* ''Brain Resuscitation: Clinical and Experimental Studies'' (1981)


==Awards and Honors==
Safar's legacy lives on through the countless lives saved by CPR and the global adoption of his methods. His work has had a profound impact on the field of emergency medicine and continues to influence medical practice today.
Throughout his career, Safar received numerous awards and honors in recognition of his contributions to medicine, including:
* The Distinguished Service Award from the American Society of Anesthesiologists
* The Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Heart Association


==Death==
==Related Pages==
Peter Safar passed away on August 3, 2003, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His legacy continues through the ongoing work of the Safar Center for Resuscitation Research and the countless lives saved through the techniques and treatments he developed.
* [[Cardiopulmonary resuscitation]]
* [[Anesthesiology]]
* [[Emergency medical services]]
* [[University of Pittsburgh]]


[[Category:Biography]]
[[Category:1924 births]]
[[Category:Medicine]]
[[Category:2003 deaths]]
[[Category:Emergency Medicine]]
[[Category:Austrian physicians]]
{{medicine-stub}}
[[Category:American anesthesiologists]]
[[Category:Emergency medicine]]

Latest revision as of 03:44, 13 February 2025

Austrian physician and pioneer in cardiopulmonary resuscitation



Peter Safar (April 12, 1924 – August 2, 2003) was an Austrian physician known for his pioneering work in the field of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Often referred to as "The Father of CPR," Safar's contributions to emergency medicine have saved countless lives worldwide.

Early Life and Education[edit]

Peter Safar was born in Vienna, Austria, into a family of physicians. He pursued his medical education at the University of Vienna, where he developed an interest in anesthesiology. After completing his studies, Safar moved to the United States to further his training.

Career and Contributions[edit]

Safar's career in the United States began at the University of Pennsylvania, where he worked as an anesthesiologist. It was here that he began to develop his ideas about emergency medical care and resuscitation.

Development of CPR[edit]

In the 1950s, Safar collaborated with James Elam to develop the technique of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. This method was a significant advancement over previous techniques and laid the groundwork for modern CPR. Safar's research demonstrated the effectiveness of mouth-to-mouth ventilation in saving lives during cardiac arrest.

File:Peter Safar.jpg
Peter Safar, the "Father of CPR"

The ABCs of Resuscitation[edit]

Safar introduced the "ABCs" of resuscitation: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation. This systematic approach became the foundation of CPR training and is still taught worldwide. His work emphasized the importance of maintaining an open airway, providing artificial ventilation, and ensuring circulation through chest compressions.

Emergency Medical Services[edit]

In addition to his work on CPR, Safar was instrumental in developing modern emergency medical services (EMS). He advocated for the establishment of ambulance services staffed by trained paramedics, which greatly improved pre-hospital care for patients experiencing medical emergencies.

Later Life and Legacy[edit]

Peter Safar continued to work in the field of emergency medicine throughout his life. He founded the International Resuscitation Research Center at the University of Pittsburgh, where he conducted research on improving resuscitation techniques and outcomes.

Safar's legacy lives on through the countless lives saved by CPR and the global adoption of his methods. His work has had a profound impact on the field of emergency medicine and continues to influence medical practice today.

Related Pages[edit]