What Beat is your CPR Playing to?

Playlists Support the Use of CPR

When hands-only CPR or traditional CPR is performed, 100 chest compressions are required per minute. This number coincides with many musical songs today, and therefore certain songs can support CPR efforts.

Ironically, “Stayin’ Alive,” the disco song made popular by the Bee Gees matches this requirement. The song’s tune supports a rhythm of about 103 beats per minute. Because of the title and the song’s popularity, it can be effectively used in conjunction with CPR training.

Other CPR Melodies

Other CPR songs that assist rescuers in performing chest compressions include favorites, such as the following:

  • Cecilia by Simon and Garfunkel
  • Sweet Home Alabama by Lynrd Skynrd
  • I Will Survive (another title that relates well to CPR) by Gloria Gaynor

Poor Song Choices

One song that meets the chest compression requirement but whose title and lyrics may not be appropriate is “Another One Bites the Dust,” by Queen. Songs, such as Achy Breaky Heart by Billy Ray Cyrus and Heartbreaker by Mariah Carey, also meet the beat requirement. Nevertheless, the title and lyrics are not compatible.

Better Choices

Probably “I Will Survive,” by Gloria Gaynor is a more positive tune to choose. After all, if you coordinate your CPR efforts with the lyrics and melody, you want to make sure they provide the right type of incentive. “Cecilia,” by Simon & Garfunkel, or Lynyrd Skynrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama,” may be more positive selections as well.

Just the Right Incentive

What song you choose can make an impact when it comes to administering CPR in a lifesaving situation. While you may not exactly feel like singing or thinking about a tune during such a maneuver, certain songs can give you the confidence you need to stay on track (no pun intended).

What Is Your CPR Song?

While people regularly save lives by using CPR on TV, real life statistics are another thing. That is why it is essential that you take a CPR course, whether you are a health professional or bystander. Supplement your training with an “upbeat” melody. Make that melody your CPR song – the tune and/or lyrics you play in your head when you are administering traditional CPR or hands-on resuscitation.

La Macarena

Another hit song from the 90s, “La Macarena,” can be used in conjunction with CPR. The popular dance song has just the right beat to support chest compressions with its up-tempo beat. The band, Los Del Rio, introduced the song in 1993. The pop duo were inspired to write the song when they watched a flamenco dancer perform at a private party in Venezuela.

The Macarena Dance and CPR

The song’s title originates from a Spanish neighborhood and is a popular girl’s name as well. Macarena translates to “Mother of God” in English. The Macarena, which is also a popular dance, can even be associated with CPR. The movement features eight steps and is performed in collaboration with the chorus of the title song.

Therefore, each dance sequence follows the beats of the song, such as beats 1 through 4, beats 5 through 8, beats 9 through 12, and beats 13 through 16. Even knowing the dance can assist you if you are giving chest compressions during CPR.

Do You Know How to Administer Hands-on CPR?

Music is a big part of people’s lives. Therefore, it stands to reason that musical beats of certain songs can help in administering CPR and adding to its interest to the general public. CPR is not an activity that should only be taught to healthcare professionals. People in the general public should also know the importance of this lifesaving technique. People in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and all over the US, should know, at least, how to administer hands-on CPR.

Revealing Research

In fact, researchers working at the University of Barcelona and the Universitat Autonoma Barcelona reviewed the efficiency of using a metronome application and a mental metronome of La Macarena in enhancing the quality of CPR. Both the song and app offered a regular rhythm, which assisted in timing the compressions.

An Assistive Tool

While no group, used in the research, achieved the required compression depth of two inches or five centimetres, participants using the app did score high when performing compressions. Participants also ranked the app as the most useful device for performing the compressions.

Music Can Make a Difference

Both the mental memory aid and the app, however, enhanced chest compression quality by encouraging an increase in the proportion of compressions. Therefore, these findings prove that the song you choose, while performing CPR, can make a difference.

Develop a CPR Playlist

Why not sign up for a CPR class today? Think about what song you want to make your CPR melody and keep it in your mind when you are learning CPR. You might select one or two songs to keep in mind when you take the training. You can even develop your own playlist, if you so choose.

Are You a Star Wars Fan?

For example, Darth Vader’s theme song, called the “Imperial March,” possesses the right number of beats (around 104 beats per minute). If you are a Star Wars’ fan, this may be your signature song when performing CPR. Review some of the songs you like and see if they fit the requirements.

 

Some Songs You Might Like

One song that was a hit in the summer of 2015 is OMI’s reggae track of Cheerleader, which was a Felix Jaehn remix. The tempo boost added to the song makes it an ideal song for applying chest compressions. “Not Letting Go by Tinie Tempah (at 102 BPM) is another good tune to try.

Selecting a Lifesaver Melody

By knowing what songs work well with CPR, you can find a lifesaver melody that you can make your own when learning or applying resuscitation. When you consider that cardiac arrest is the third cause of death in the US and that most of the deaths occur in the home, knowing CPR is necessary.

Every Minute Counts

Every minute without CPR decreases a victim’s survival rate by 10%. Moreover, at this time, only 46% of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) victims receive the help they need before emergency help arrives.

Find Your CPR Song and Learn CPR Today

Another sobering fact – about 92% of SCA victims die before arriving at the hospital because they did not receive CPR. Knowing, at least, hands only CPR, can save a life. This technique increases a person’s survival rate three times over what it would be if CPR is not administered. Find you CPR song and learn CPR today.

 

 

References:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOR7MuFd9dJaAjywYE8ygk03LlML1HRB1

https://www.hindustantimes.com/fitness/la-macarena-song-can-help-you-perform-cpr-better-here-s-how/story-tFS8Q7jjdHwJWUcgcWreWI.html

https://www.nyp.org/cpr/

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Donna Ryan
Donna Ryan is a writer and editor with extensive writing and editing experience. She has covered subjects, such as health and fitness, home and gardening, technology, travel, business, and general news content. She is also an award-winning poet. You can send her a message by visiting donnaryanwriting@wordpress.com.
COMMENT (1)
Troy Bowman / August 22, 2018

I like old school. Give me Bee Gees.

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