Peter Safar

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Legacy

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.

Selected Publications

Safar published extensively throughout his career. Some of his notable works include:

• The ABC of Resuscitation (1957)
• Advances in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (1977)
• Brain Resuscitation: Clinical and Experimental Studies (1981)

Awards and Honors

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

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.