Staying Alive - the kiss-free way

Wednesday January 4th, 2012

A 70s disco classic by the Bee Gees is set to be a new life-saving song, it was announced today.

Experts have disputed the value of music to help volunteers get the right rhythm for cardiopulmonary resuscitation - CPR - and the need to combine CPR with the kiss of life.

But the song Stayin' Alive will now be officially promoted to encourage the public to learn how to do CPR - without the kiss.

Campaigners hope its title, as well as its beat, will help motivate volunteers.

Movie hard man Vinnie Jones is to star in TV adverts promoting the idea of "hands only" CPR.

The move has come after the British Heart Foundation decided to back the technique - which means volunteers do not have to give the kiss of life.

Ellen Mason, of the Foundation, said: “The kiss of life can often be daunting for untrained bystanders who want to help when someone has collapsed with a cardiac arrest.

"Hands-only CPR should give lots of people the confidence and know-how to help save someone in cardiac arrest, the ultimate medical emergency. It’s been shown that hard, fast and uninterrupted chest compressions are better than stopping compressions for ineffective rescue breaths.

"It’s very simple; call 999 and then push hard and fast in the centre of the chest at a tempo similar to Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees. If you’re untrained or unconfident about the kiss of life give Hands-only CPR a go instead - it could help save someone’s life."

Mr Jones said: "There really shouldn’t be any messing about when it comes to CPR. If you’re worried about the kiss of life just forget it and push hard and fast in the centre of the chest to Stayin’ Alive. 

“Hands-only CPR should give have-a-go heroes the confidence to step in and help when somebody is in cardiac arrest.”

Tags: A&E | General Health | Heart Health | UK News

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