Resources and Learning

Hands-OnlyTM CPR works

Hands-OnlyTM CPR, performed by a bystander has been shown to be as effective as “conventional” CPR in emergencies that occur at home, work or in public. There are only two steps to remember:

• 1) Call 911
• 2) Push hard and fast in the center of the chest.

You can be a lifesaver

If you ARE CONFIDENT in your ability to provide CPR that includes breaths with high-quality chest compressions with minimal interruptions, then provide either the conventional CPR that you learned OR Hands-OnlyTM CPR.

If you ARE NOT CONFIDENT in your ability to provide CPR that includes breaths with high-quality chest compressions with minimal interruptions, then provide Hands-OnlyTM CPR.

In both cases, continue Hands-OnlyTM CPR until an AED arrives and is ready for use or EMS providers take over care of the victim.

Learning conventional CPR is still recommended

The American Heart Association recommends conventional CPR with breaths and compressions for infants and children; victims of drowning, drug overdose or other respiratory problems; and adult victims who are found already unconscious and not breathing normally.

A CPR course teaches you the skills needed to help those other victims. You’ll also practice performing the same two steps you’ll need for Hands-OnlyTM CPR. Typically people who have had CPR training are more confident about their skills and more likely to assist someone in a real emergency.

Even a very short CPR training program that you can do at home, like the American Heart Association’s 22-minute CPR Anytime, provides skills training and practice that can prepare you to perform high-quality chest compressions.

Hands-OnlyTM CPR scientific statement

The American Heart Association works with some of the world’s leading resuscitation scientists and medical professionals. Their continuous review of published research studies on CPR resulted in the following AHA Science Advisory, published in an April 2008 edition of the medical journal Circulation: Hands-OnlyTM (Compression-Only) Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Call to Action for Bystander Response to Adults Who Experience Out-of-Hospital Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Lifesaving programs

The American Heart Association creates many lifesaving CPR and AED and First Aid training programs. Click here to learn more.