Resources - Heart Rescue Project

Three Easy Steps to Help Save a Life

If you see someone collapse suddenly, first check to see if the victim is responsive. If not:

Call 911 for emergency assistance if no response.
Start chest compressions immediately
- Put person on their back
- Put the heel of your hand on the center of their chest put your other hand on top of the first
- With your arms straight, push down hard and fast
- Keep pushing until additional help arrives
Send someone to find an AED (automated external defibrillator) if one is available.
- Use the AED as soon as it arrives
- Remove the victim’s shirt, turn on the AED and follow the voice prompts
- Continue chest compressions after shocking the victim with the AED

Chest compressions are essential to maximize the victim’s chance of survival, keeping oxygen in the blood circulating throughout the body
If chest compressions are not provided to a SCA victim within a few minutes, they will likely die.
No advanced therapy is more important than chest compressions. Waiting for help to arrive will decrease the chances of survival.
Using an AED to shock the heart back into rhythm can double the chance of survival.

Put your knowledge to work in our Save-A-Life Simulator

American Heart Association Emergency Cardiac Care: Learn the latest in CPR
American Red Cross: CPR news and training programs in your area
Learncprnow.org: Improving SCA survival rates in Minnesota
Be The Beat: American Heart Association SCA website offers free resources to schools and students
University of Washington School of Medicine: Learn CPR
SHARE (Save Hearts in Arizona Registry and Education): Arizona Department of Health Services’ website includes CPR videos and resources for all levels of response
Public access defibrillation programs: The HeartSafe program in Minnesota and the Minnesota State High School League’s Anyone Can Save A Life program are two great examples of how to train people in CPR and AED use.