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The purpose of this study is to review the most important milestones in the history of CPR,from the first efforts until our days. For this reason, the methodology followed included searching reviewed studies on databases such as Pub Med, Medline and Scopus, using keywords such as cardiopulmonary arrest, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, history of CPR, historical overview of CPR, CPR evolution and combination thereof. Additional literature was searched from the Health Sciences Library of the National University of Athensand the Library of the School of Health Professions of the Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki. We performed a comparative study of existing research and information concerning the historical development of CPR and defibrillation, as presented in articles and books,to be listed the most valid and complete information on the above topic, as possible. Through the aposition of information we will hopefully revile the important role of the different approaches over the centuries and how this led to a further improvement of the data, also the key role of all individuals involved with the test object. The necessity of scientific approach to the issue must also be stressed, as it turned out, but also the importance of the practical application of both the already acquired knowledge and of being investigated as to its reliability. For these purposes, in the present paper we present a chronological sequence of all thoughts and practices relating to CPR and defibrillation, their evolution from past to today, recognizing that knowledge is not something static, but something constantly evolving under investigation.