Published: 25th Febuary 2025.
Last updated: 25th Febuary 2025.
Author: Cara Sherratt.

 

You may have already learnt the life saving CPR training if you have taken one of our first aid training courses. Part of our first aid course delivers training on what to do when you are faced with an unconscious, non-breathing patient. You will be taken through the “DR ABC” process to properly assess the situation and your casualty.

Part of the treatment you will be trained to deliver includes how to properly and safely deliver rescue breaths and chest compressions. Following the “30 and 2” rule, you would deliver 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths until help has arrived.

Chest compressions need to follow a rhythm of 120BPM (beats per minutes), which coincides with the base rhythm of a few popular songs. Of course, high pressured situations may affect your ability to keep time and often adrenaline makes us speed up, so selecting a song that falls within the range of 100-110BPM could end up being more useful. To help you stay in time, we’ve collated some of the most memorable songs that you can use to remain within the correct BPM range needed for effective CPR.

 

@stjohn_ambulance #duet with @Paige Slayton #nursetok shes got it! #cpr #cprsong #firstaidtraining ♬ UNWRITTEN X INTOXICATED - CarterWalsh

 

Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield

We’ll let this one speak for itself, as TikTokker and nurse @paigeslayton demonstrates, this song is a well-known classic that most millennials know of by heart. Chose a song you know well to maintain the rhythm, because after all, no one else can feel it for you. Only you can let it in.

 

Stayin’ Alive – Bee Gees (104BPM)

The most memorable of all and highly recommended within first aid training is “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees. A popular option due to both the lyrics and for maintaining the correct rhythm.

 

Espresso - Sabrina Carpenter

Taken straight from the charts, Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter also runs at 104BPM, making the track that has spent over seven non-consecutive weeks at Number 1 a fantastic choice for delivering accurately timed chest compressions.

 

Baby Shark – Pingfong

The catchier the song, the better for maintaining chest compression rhythm in high pressure environments, making Baby Shark a great option.

 

Eye Of The Tiger – Survivor

A play on words, or relatable lyrics might be the hook for choosing your rhythm pacer, making this song by Survivor a suitable choice to hit those 120BPM.

 

Tragedy – Bee Gees

Maintaining a consistent rhythm is an important part of delivering chest compressions and rescue breaths, so pick a song you know well.

 

Sweet Child of Mine – Guns n Roses

One for the lovers of rock and roll, “Sweet Child of Mine” hits the tempo range at 117BPM.

 

Every Breath You Take – The Police

Another memorable song due to its name, this song is a well known and consistent tune that is easy to follow.

Of course, it might sound as though we’re being a little light-hearted for the seriousness of the situation, but we often get told that our trainers bring just the right blend of humour and seriousness to our courses, so we hope this acts as a handy, easily-remembered guide.  What  we also know that humour helps in these situations to help people get through them, plus using a storyline helps to improve the memorability of information, and therefore also the ability to recall when needed.

For more inspiration, you can use Spotify to search for playlists dedicated to finding the rhythm of 120BPM. Whichever song you choose, remember your training and always call 999 when dealing with an unresponsive, non-breathing casualty. Get assistance from a bystander and ask someone to find the nearest defibrillator.

Using a defib along with chest compressions and rescue breaths increases a person’s survival by 75% compared to doing nothing at all. Ensure you’re staying calm, staying in time and help your casualty with “Stayin’ Alive”.

 

@stjohn_ambulance

mood: Annie after she’s finished work

♬ original sound - MOONLGHT