For those of us who are nostalgic for the iconic music of the 70s, it turns out that there is more to some disco music than we originally imagined. In fact, as reported in a recent article on CNN, the rhythm and beat could save a life.

According to the story, Debra Bader was walking with her husband Christopher when she watched in horror as he suddenly collapsed from cardiac arrest. She immediately called 911 and then remembered a public service announcement she’d heard on the radio. The announcement in question (sponsored by the American Heart Association) advised people who are witnessing an incident of cardiac arrest to apply very hard and forceful chest compressions to the beat of the hit song, Stayin' Alive, which translates into about 100 compressions per minute.

With not a moment to lose, Ms. Bader, who had no previous experience with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), started to pump her husbands chest while singing the song until the EMT’s arrived. Christopher survived, in no small part to the quick thinking of his wife, Debra.

The story highlights the popular misconception that one needs formal training in CPR in order to save someone’s life. In fact, the chest compressions alone, even without mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, is often enough to get the heart going again, though complete CPR that includes it is considered optimal.

When someone experiences cardiac arrest, the heart literally stops beating, and  brain death will occur within four to six minutes if the person does not get any help. The tragedy is that 95% of the cardiac arrest cases result in death because most people have no idea that they can actually help and as a consequence, do nothing.

The American Heart Association (AHA) urges the public be prepared for cardiac emergencies by knowing what to do. Familiarize yourself with the warning signs (loss of consciousness, cessation of breathing, and no pulse or blood pressure), call 911, and administer CPR, which keeps the blood and oxygen flowing to the heart and brain until help arrives. To learn more, consult the website of the AHA or talk to you physician.  

More information about where you can take CPR classes can also be found on the AHA website as well as the American Red Cross. And finally, the University of Washington offers a free instructive video on CPR techniques.