Health Discovery: It’s in Your Hands - AARP Bulletin

It' s in Your Hands Hands-Only CPR

New technique can more than double a victim s chances of survival

A layman can indeed save the life of a heart attack victim—without special training or mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, according to the American Heart Association. Its new Hands-Only CPR guidelines, issued in March, say that in an emergency, first call 911. Then push hard (depressing about 2 inches) and fast (about 100 pushes a minute) on the center of the victim’s chest, and don’t stop until help arrives. Bystanders help fewer than a third of heart attack victims, the AHA reports, because they may be reluctant to do mouth-to-mouth or fear they can’t do CPR correctly. But the new technique can more than double a victim’s chances of survival. Go to for an instructional video. Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures

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