In various embodiments, an apparatus to aid in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (“CPR”), may include: a support structure (200, 300, 400) shaped to support a head and neck of a patient at respective positions suitable for opening an airflow of the patient during performance of CPR on the patient one or more electromagnetic radiation sources (208, 308, 408) mounted on the support structure to emit electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength within a predetermined frequency range of wavelengths onto skin of the patient and one or more electromagnetic or optical sensors (210, 310, 410) mounted on the support structure to detect electromagnetic radiation within the predetermined frequency range that is reflected from or transmitted into the patients skin.
