Hands-Only CPR: What It Is and Why It Saves Lives

Growing up watching medical drama shows like Grey’s Anatomy and The Good Doctor, I was always fascinated by how quickly doctors jumped into action. They never hesitated or questioned what to do next. When someone “started coding,” CPR immediately followed. Those scenes made CPR seem dramatic and complex, but in reality, CPR is a simple skill that anyone can learn, and it saves lives.  

Hands-Only CPR Explained

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, is an emergency technique used when someone’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped. Hands-only CPR is recommended for people who are not formally trained or certified, and it focuses solely on chest compressions. 

To perform Hands-Only CPR, push hard and fast in the center of the chest at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute. Place the heel of one hand in the center of the chest, place your other hand on top, and interlace your fingers. Lock your elbows and position your shoulders directly over your hands to deliver effective compressions.  Make sure the chest fully rises between compressions.

To help maintain the correct pace, you can follow the beat of songs like “Stayin Alive” by the Bee Gees or “Levitating” by Dua Lipa. Unlike traditional CPR, Hands-Only CPR does not require rescue breaths, you do not need to place your mouth on the person’s mouth or nose. 

How Immediate Action and Early CPR Make the Difference

When someone’s heart stops, CPR helps keep oxygen-rich blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs. This circulation can prevent brain damage and significantly increase the chance of survival while waiting for emergency responders to arrive.

Immediate action matters. When a person goes into cardiac arrest, bystander CPR can double or even triple survival rates. If you see someone collapse or become unresponsive, the first step is to call 911 and clearly explain the situation and your location. Once help is on the way, CPR should begin immediately.

About Hands to Heart

Hands to Heart is a student-led public health initiative dedicated to expanding access to hands-on CPR education for high school students. Our mission is to ensure that every student has the knowledge and confidence to act in an emergency.

Through student-run training assemblies and partnerships with school districts and community organizations, Hands to Heart works to make CPR education accessible, practical, and impactful. With between 70-80% of cardiac arrests occurring at home, it is essential that students are equipped with these lifesaving skills that could help a family member, friend, or neighbor. 

If you are interested in getting involved, visit our Get Involved tab and become a volunteer. If you would like to start your own chapter, visit the Start Your Chapter tab and fill out the form to bring Hands to Heart to your community. 

CPR is a simple skill, but its impact can be life-changing. By learning CPR and sharing it with others, students can become the first link in the chain of survival. Hands to Heart exists to turn awareness into action and hesitation into help.