CPR to a Disco Song

Posted by Anthony Lee Dec 7, 2008

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) requires chest compressions to propel blood forward when the heart is not pumping at all. For this to work, the compressions have to be done quickly, approximately 100 per minute.

Recently, there has been talk of a rather amusing aid to help one perform effective chest compressions: the famous disco song "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees. It's not the title of the song that helps. It's the beat. If you perform one chest compression for each beat of the song, you will be doing this component of CPR at the correct rate.

Even if you are not familiar with the song, just remember that chest compressions must be quick. Consider a rate of 100 per minute as a goal to shoot for.