For the CPR acronym C‑A‑B , the correct word for C is most often taught today as either “Compression(s)” or “Circulation (compressions)” , with both pointing to the same first step: starting chest compressions to move blood.

Quick Scoop

  • In modern CPR teaching, C‑A‑B stands for:
    • C – Compressions (Circulation) : Begin chest compressions to keep blood flowing.
* **A – Airway** : Open the airway after starting compressions.

* **B – Breathing** : Give rescue breaths once compressions and airway are addressed.
  • Some training materials phrase C as “Circulation (Compressions)” , emphasizing that compressions are what create circulation during CPR.
  • Other reputable CPR sources explicitly say “C stands for Compression(s)” and then explain that these compressions maintain circulation of oxygenated blood.

So if your test or forum question is literally “What is the correct word for C in C.A.B.?” and you have to pick one term, the safest single-word answer is:

C = Compression(s) ✅

But if the options lean more toward physiology wording, “Circulation (compressions)” is also widely accepted in CPR explanations.

TL;DR:
For C‑A‑B in CPR, write “Compression(s)” as the answer; it refers to doing chest compressions to maintain circulation of blood.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.