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You Can Save a Life With Two Steps and Hands-Only CPR

Hands-only CPRMany people are alive today because someone acted quickly and performed hands-only CPR.

However, close to 92 percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims die before reaching a hospital because most people don’t know how to perform CPR.  Immediately performing CPR increases the chances of survival for the victim by two to three times.

What is Hands-Only CPR?

CPR is an abbreviation for the words cardiopulmonary resuscitation.  CPR is an emergency procedure in which the lungs and heart are made to work manually by compressing the chest overlying the heart of the victim and forcing air into the lungs.  It’s main purpose is to maintain blood circulation through the heart when the heart stops pumping.

People used CPR as far back as the year 1740.  Given immediately and properly to sudden cardiac arrest victims, CPR can save lives.

Unfortunately, most people don’t know how to perform it today.

hands-only cpr

Anyone can learn CPR.  The life you save is most likely someone you love, since 88 percent of cardiac arrests happen at home.

There’s no need to be afraid — your actions can help.

If you see someone who unresponsive and not breathing normally or not breathing, call 911 and push hard and fast on the center of the chest.

Prepare yourself to act in an emergency by simply viewing a video.

Here is a short video that explains and shows you how to perform a two-step, hands-only CPR:

 

The life you save with CPR is mostly likely to be a loved one.

  • Four out of five cardiac arrests happen at home.
  • If you’re called on to administer CPR in an emergency, the life you save is most likely to be someone in your home: a spouse, a child, a parent, or a friend.

You Can Make a Difference! 

Knowing how to perform CPR and sharing your knowledge with others can increase the chances of saving someone’s life.

Remember, if you see an adult or teen collapse suddenly, call 9-1-1 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of the classic disco song “Stayin’ Alive.”

Performing CPR can more than double a person’s chances of survival, and “Stayin’ Alive” has the right beat for Hands-Only CPR.

We encourage you to share this article with your friends and family, and add your comments and experiences to inspire others to learn more about Hands-Only CPR.


About the author: George Zapo is certified in Public Health Promotion and Education (Kent State University). George provides informative articles promoting healthy behavior and lifestyles.

6 comments… add one
  • Tina Bosela

    George,

    This article is excellent!

    Anyone can perform CPR with the steps you provided in the video.

    By the way I love the song. If there is a time that I need to use it, I will remember to sing Stayin’ Alive while I try to save a life.

    Thank you and I must share this with my friends and family.

    Take care,

    Tina

  • This change in CPR techniques is related to our fear of communicable diseases. The older method, with it’s mouth-to-mouth component, rendered too many people fearful of intervening, lest they be left with unpleasant reminders of their Samaritanism.
    Don’t hesitate! This technique is safe. Even if you crack on of the person’s ribs (often happens, due to our inability to discern our own strength in stressful situations), it is much better than having ribs intact and being dead!

    • Thank you for sharing your thoughts and knowledge pertaining to CPR, Roy!

      We appreciate it!

  • CHOI, Won-Sim

    “Stayin’ Alive” makes me remember how to perform CPR easily.
    Thanks for helpful info, George!

    Wishing you a peaceful and successful New Year to come!

    Choi

    • Thank you very much, Choi!

      I wish you and your family a safe, peaceful, and successful New Year and years to come, as well!

      I appreciate your kind and encouraging words!

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