Wednesday, February 22, 2023
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Singing “Stayin’ Alive” + your hands could save a life
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The song “Stayin’ Alive” is more than just one of the Bee Gees’ greatest hits; it’s also a great tool that can help save a life.
The tempo of the song is what you want to use when performing hands-only CPR – after, of course, you’ve dialed 9-1-1.
“The importance of CPR is to save a life,” says Roberta Patrick, EMS clinical manager and director of paramedic training program.
Sudden cardiac death is the largest cause of natural death in the United States. About half of the people who experience cardiac arrests at home don’t get the help they need before an ambulance arrives. If performed immediately, CPR can double or even triple the chances of survival.
Hands-only CPR is easy, and it only takes two steps AND anyone can do it. Call 9-1-1 and push hard in the center of the person’s chest.
When using hands-only CPR, “you are acting like a pump for the heart and continuing to help sustain oxygen to the brain,” says Patrick.
Patrick delivered this life-saving advice just days before the annual Lowcountry Heart Walk at Brittlebank Park at 8 a.m. Saturday. Roper St. Francis Healthcare representatives will be there to demonstrate CPR.
Other chances to learn CPR from Roper St. Francis Healthcare include:
- March 7 at 2 p.m., K. Hovnanian's Four Seasons at Lakes of Cane Bay, Summerville
- March 16 at 11 a.m., Lowcountry Senior Center, James Island
- March 17 at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church, North Charleston
- March 21 at 11 a.m., Waring Senior Center, Bon Secours St Francis Hospital
The following are tips from the American Heart Association on performing CPR:
- Minimize interruptions in chest compressions
- Provide compressions of adequate rate and depth
- Avoid leaning on the victim between compressions
- Ensure proper hand placement
- Avoid excessive ventilation