WesternU students lend a hand during National CPR Day

Registered nurses from Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center (PVHMC) and nursing students Kristin Boone and Sabrina Barrios from Western University of Health Sciences taught Hands Only CPR to the beat of a famous 1970s disco song at the Claremont Chamber of Commerce Thursday, June 7, 2012 in honor of National CPR Day.

It turns out that the famous Bee Gees song “”Stayin’ Alive”” has the perfect rhythm to maintain regular chest compressions and therefore — help keep someone alive.

PVHMC, in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency and the American Heart Association (AHA), hosted three Countywide Sidewalk Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) “”Hands Only”” public education sites in Pomona and Claremont.

“”There are countless times that people stand around and do nothing,”” said Lisa Grace, RN, MSN, CNS, a nurse at PVHMC. “”Just by doing a few compressions, that can make a difference in saving someone’s life.””

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, with more than 350,000 out-of-hospital deaths each year. Studies show that prompt, effective delivery of CPR can nearly triple a victim’s chance of survival by helping maintain vital blood flow to the heart and brain. Hands-only CPR has been shown to be as effective as conventional CPR for sudden cardiac arrest at home, at work or in public. It can double or even triple a victim’s chance for survival according to the American Heart Association. Click here for more information.