HANDS-ONLY CPR

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American Heart Association Steps for Hands-OnlyCPR

American Heart Association Hands-Only CPR
knights Valley CPR

Could you save someone’s life in case of cardiac arrest? Would you know what to do until help arrives? According to 2014 American Heart Association data, nearly 45 percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims survived when bystander CPR was administered.

When a person collapses suddenly and isn't breathing or has no pulse, bystanders are often reluctant to help with CPR for fear of doing it wrong or making the situation worse. Or they may be uncomfortable with giving mouth-to-mouth breathing to a stranger. With Hands-Only CPR you can be prepared to save a life even if you haven't taken a CPR class.

Hands-only CPR consists of 2 steps: call 911, then push hard and fast in the center of the victim's chest. Hands-only CPR can help a heart attack victim survive a cardiac arrest.

It Could Happen

Let’s say it is early morning and you are walking into work. There are not many people around yet. Suddenly, the gentleman walking right in front of you suddenly stops…and drops. You observe that he isn’t moving and has awkward, gasping breaths. What can you do?

Here are the latest recommendations on how to do hands-only CPR from the American Red Cross:

Before Giving Hands-Only CPR

Check to make sure the scene is safe, tap the person on the shoulder to see if he is responsive. Look for signs of rhythmic, normal breathing.
Call 911 for assistance. Put your cell phone on speakerphone.
If the person is non-responsive, begin hands-only CPR.

How To Deliver Hands-Only CPR

Kneel beside the person who needs help.
Place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest.
Place the heel of the other hand on top of the first hand, then lace your fingers together.
Position your body so that your shoulders are directly over your hands; keep your arms straight.
Push hard, push fast. Use your body weight to help you administer compressions that are at least 2 inches deep and delivered at a rate of at least 100 compressions per minute. (Be sure to let the chest rise between compressions.)

This video from the American Heart Association demonstrates how to correctly do hands-only CPR:

Research shows that hands-only CPR can help a person in cardiac arrest survive for up to 3 to 5 minutes. That may be enough time to save a life.

We’ve Got The Beat

In a pinch, remember some of these songs from your favorite decade - they have a tempo of 100 to 120 beats per minute, so they provide the correct tempo for the chest compressions: