Hands-Only CPR Workshop

So, I'm always certified for first aid and CPR. But I've been curious about the "new" hands-only CPR, so I went to a one-hour workshop given by the Scottsdale, Arizona Fire Department, to see what it's all about. 

As it was presented:

• Hands-Only CPR is a new type of CPR to use on a person who is in sudden cardiac arrest.

• Hands-Only CPR is performed on individuals who are 8 years of age or older and who suddenly have collapsed.

• The speed of compressions is 100 times per minute. Instead of counting, sing the chorus of Staying Alive or the ABC song to keep time.

If someone collapses

• Call 911

• Do a sternal rub to see if they wake up. If there is no response, begin Hands-Only CPR.

• If there is an AED available to shock the heart, do 2 minutes of Hands-Only CPR first and then use the AED

So that's all there is to it. Common sense mostly. Designed for when a stranger needs help and you might not want to provide rescue breathing. Makes sense.