University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa John A. Burns School of Medicine Professor Alson Inaba is helping the American Heart Association once again in its push to save lives through “Hands-Only CPR.” The campaign promotes awareness of CPR without mouth-to-mouth breaths.
Inaba came up with the idea to use the Bee Gees classic, Stayin’ Alive as a mathematically perfect and unforgettable way to keep rhythm with the necessary compressions needed to properly perform hands-only CPR.
- UH News: Medical professor promoting Stayin’ Alive CPR, June 6, 2012
Hands-only CPR is recommended for people who need to aid a teen or adult who has suddenly collapsed in an out-of-hospital setting.
Inaba is the face of the American Heart Association campaign
This year, the heart association launched another Hands-Only CPR promo video using a singing group, in acapella fashion, and quoting Inaba, who works at Kapiʻolani Medical Center, in its news releases for National CPR Week.
Inaba has been the national face of the AHA campaign in years past along with movie celebrities and dancers clad in white suits, a la John Travolta from the movie Stayin’ Alive. Everyday Health called Inaba’s innovation “The Tip from Honolulu Heard Around the World.”
“Anyone can learn hands-only CPR with just two easy steps,” said Inaba. “If you see someone suddenly collapse, first call 911 and then push hard and fast in the center of their chest to the beat of Stayin’ Alive until help arrives.”
—By Tina Shelton
