June 1-8 is CPR/AED Awareness Week - Learn Hands-Only CPR with One-Minute Video

National CPR Awareness Week is June 1-8 and the American Heart Association wants residents to know the two simple steps of Hands-Only^™ CPR to be prepared when sudden cardiac arrest strikes.

Hands-Only CPR has just two simple steps: 1) If you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse, call 9-1-1; and 2) Push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of the classic Bee Gees’ song “Stayin’ Alive.”

Cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death with over 420,000 out-of-hospital cases occurring every year in the United States. When a teen or adult has a cardiac arrest, survival depends on immediately receiving CPR from someone nearby. Survival rates drop as much as 10 percent for every minute that goes by without intervention.

In an effort to spread this lifesaving message to a younger generation, the AHA and Wellpoint Foundation have teamed up with DJ Earworm to create a mash-up of other well-known songs that have the right rate to guide compressions for Hands-Only CPR, and coincidentally, have a life-saving message.

The Bees Gees’ hit song "Stayin’ Alive" and the songs in Earworm’s new “Hands-Only CPR Mash-Up” have rates of at least 100 beats per minute, the same rate recommended for performing Hands-Only CPR.

Hands-Only CPR has been shown to be equally as effective as CPR with breaths, and people are more likely to feel comfortable performing it. A December 2012 study published in the American Heart Association’s journal, Circulation found that Hands-Only CPR performed by bystanders keeps more people alive with good brain function after experiencing a cardiac arrest. According to the American Heart Association, people feel more confident performing Hands-Only CPR and are more likely to remember the correct rhythm when trained to the beat of a familiar song.

Eighty percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in private or residential settings. The life you save with CPR will most likely be a loved one. Bystanders can help save a life from cardiac arrest by watching a one-minute video to learn the simple steps of Hands-Only CPR online at www.heart.org/handsonlycpr 

Hands-Only CPR has just two simple steps. If you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse,

(1) Call 9-1-1; and

(2) Push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of the disco song “Stayin’ Alive” or any of these lifesaving hits until help arrives!

The American Heart Association is advocating for Hands-Only CPR training in schools through the CPR in Schools legislation. So far, 16 states across the country now require CPR training prior to graduation, ensuring that one million students who graduate annually in these states will be taught CPR. AHA volunteer advocates will visit the New York State capitol on June 3^rd to rally for the legislation. To support the bill, visit www.becprsmart.org.

To learn more about the Hands-Only CPR campaign and get ready to save a life visit www.heart.org/handsonlycpr or facebook.com/AHACPR.

To learn more about infant and child CPR, please visit www.heart.org/CPR. The American Heart Association sets the standards for CPR training and treating cardiovascular emergencies. We train 12 million people yearly in the U.S. in CPR.