When a Valentine’s Day public meeting includes the recognition of American Heart Month, what better way to highlight both than to demonstrate a heart-saving, potentially life-saving technique?

At the Feb. 14 public meeting, Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz, and Eric Roe proclaimed the county’s recognition of American Heart Month and practiced hands-only CPR on three adult-size Manikins, guided by members of the Chester County Department of Emergency Services.  Support from the county’s emergency medical services (EMS) professionals included playing the Bee Gee’s 1977 classic “Stayin’ Alive,” used in CPR training because it is the perfect song for hitting the 100 to 120 beats per minute that is ideal for chest compressions.   

According to the American Red Cross, hands-only CPR involves two crucial steps for helping a person suffering a cardiac arrest. Step one - call 9-1-1, and step two – perform chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 beats per minute, which, as noted, is more easily measured by relating to the tempo of “Stayin’ Alive.”

Each year, more than 350,000 EMS-assisted out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States, and when a person has a cardiac arrest, survival depends on immediately receiving CPR from someone nearby.  

Harry Moore, the Chester County deputy director for EMS, said, “Thanks to many EMS agencies and non-profits throughout the county, there are opportunities year-round for residents of all ages to learn Hands-Only CPR. The more people we train, the greater the possibility of saving the life of someone who has gone into cardiac arrest, and as more than 70 precent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in homes, learning hands-only CPR could help save the life of someone you love – a child, a spouse, a parent, or friend.” 

The following EMS agencies in Chester County provide Hands-Only CPR training:  Good Fellowship Ambulance & EMS Training Institute (https://www.goodfellowship.com/training/community-education),  Uwchlan Ambulance Corps & Training Institute (https://station87.com/education), and Emergency Training Academy (https://www.emergencytraining.pro).