Hands-Only CPR

Lend a Hand. Save a Life.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of Americans suffer sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Many die because they do not receive any form of CPR at the scene. For every minute that passes without CPR, a victim's odds of survival decrease by 10 percent.

You can help. Hands-Only CPR is a simple technique anyone can perform in an emergency. It does not require mouth-to-mouth contact and keeps the victim's blood flowing until help arrives. It's just as effective as traditional CPR.

For victims of SCA, bystanders offer their best chance for survival. You can't hurt; you can only help.

Three Steps

Unlike traditional CPR, the Hands-Only technique consists of three simple steps:

1. Call 911.
2. Push hard and fast on the center of the chest.
3. If possible, use a portable defibrillator, also known as an AED.

View the Video

See a demonstration of Hands-Only CPR in action, courtesy of the American Heart Association. The video is available in Spanish.

Contact Us

For more about Hands-Only CPR, including information on training and community awareness events, contact the Baltimore County Fire Department at 410-887-4860 or fireinfo@baltimorecountymd.gov.