How to do hands-only CPR
The American Heart Association says hands-only CPR has two steps: call 911 if you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse, then push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of a song with 100 to 120 beats a minute, such as "Stayin' Alive." The Red Cross says to push at least 2 inches deep and let the chest come back up after each push.
The American Heart Association says more than 350,000 people in the US have a cardiac arrest outside a hospital each year, about 70 percent of them at home, and about 90 percent of them do not survive.
- Before you start
- How to push
- Use an AED as soon as one arrives
- Who hands-only CPR is for
- Why it matters
- Gear
Before you start
- Check the scene is safe (Red Cross).
- Tap the person on the shoulder and ask if they are OK. Look for normal breathing.
- No response? Call 911, or tell a bystander to call and to bring an AED.
- Gasping is not breathing. The American Heart Association says start CPR if the person is not breathing or is only gasping.
How to push
Steps from the Red Cross.
- Lay them on their back on a firm, flat surface.
- Kneel beside them.
- Hands in the center of the chest: heel of one hand, other hand on top, fingers laced and lifted off the chest.
- Shoulders over your hands, elbows locked, arms straight.
- Push at least 2 inches deep, 100 to 120 times a minute, without stopping.
- Let the chest come all the way back up after each push.
Keep the beat with a song. The American Heart Association names "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees, "Crazy in Love" by Beyoncé, "Hips Don't Lie" by Shakira and "Walk the Line" by Johnny Cash.
Use an AED as soon as one arrives
The Red Cross says to use an AED as soon as it is available. The American Heart Association says AEDs can shock a heart back into rhythm, and their voice and picture prompts are designed for someone who has never seen one before. Turn it on and follow what it tells you.
Who hands-only CPR is for
- Teens and adults who suddenly collapse. The American Heart Association says hands-only CPR has been shown to be as effective as CPR with breaths in the first few minutes.
- Babies and children: the AHA recommends CPR with rescue breaths.
- Drowning or choking: the AHA also recommends CPR with breaths.
If you have not been trained in breaths, push anyway. The AHA says the biggest risk is not doing something.
Why it matters
The American Heart Association says CPR, especially when given right away, can double or triple the chance of survival. Fewer than 40 percent of people who have a cardiac arrest outside a hospital get that help before professionals arrive. Most of these arrests happen at home, so the person you save may well be someone you live with.
Worried about legal trouble? The American Heart Association says Good Samaritan laws protect people who step in to give lifesaving care.
Common mistakes
- Waiting because the person is gasping. The AHA says gasping is not normal breathing, so start CPR.
- Pushing too gently. The Red Cross says at least 2 inches deep.
- Pushing too slowly. Keep to 100 to 120 a minute, the beat of Stayin' Alive.
- Leaning on the chest between pushes. Let it come all the way back up.
- Doing CPR on a soft bed. Move the person to a firm, flat surface.
- Not using an AED because you are not trained. The AHA says the prompts are made for first-time users.
- Doing nothing out of fear. The AHA says the biggest risk is not doing something.
Gear for this
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CPR face shield
For when you are trained and giving breaths to a child or a drowning victim. Small enough for a keychain.
CPR training manikin
Lets the whole family practice depth and rate at home. The American Heart Association runs Hands-Only CPR training resources you can use with it.
Questions people ask
What are the two steps of hands-only CPR?
The American Heart Association says: call 911, then push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of a song with 100 to 120 beats a minute.
How deep do you push for CPR on an adult?
The Red Cross says at least 2 inches, letting the chest come back up after each push.
Is hands-only CPR OK for children?
The American Heart Association recommends CPR with rescue breaths for babies and children, and for drowning or choking. Hands-only CPR is for teens and adults who suddenly collapse.
Sources
- American Heart Association: 2025 CPR Fact Sheet
- American Heart Association: 11 things to know to save a life with CPR
- American Heart Association: Hands-Only CPR
- American Red Cross: Hands-Only CPR for Adults
- American Red Cross: Hands-Only CPR
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General safety information only, not medical or professional advice. Rules can change, so check the linked sources and follow your local officials. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.