Charleston, S.C. –  You can help save a life by learning CPR. 

Roper St. Francis Healthcare is teaming up with The American Heart Association to offer free hands-only CPR training. 

The goal is to teach as many people the life-saving skill.

According to the American Heart Association, 475,000 Americans die each year from cardiac arrest. The chance of survival goes up dramatically if CPR is performed early enough. 

Toni Flowers with Roper St. Francis Hospital says hands-only CPR is just as effective as mouth-to-mouth CPR.

“We want people to jump into action when they notice someone is unconscious, Flowers said that’s because. “studies have shown some CPR is better than no CPR.” 

Hands-only CPR requires two steps. 

The first step is to make sure the person is unconscious. The second step is to call 911. If you are alone then you should call 911, put it on speaker, and then perform CPR on the unresponsive victim. 

“CPR allows the blood to continue to flow and circulate through the body even if the heart isn’t working, so you are actually being an artificial heart to the person,” said Flowers. 

CPR should continue until medical personnel arrive to the scene. 

All you have to do is put the heal of your hand in the middle of the chest, lock your fingers and elbows, then begin CPR to the rhythm of the song “Staying Alive”.

Click here to sign-up for free CPR training.