Learn CPR

Hands-Only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Hand-Only CPRHands-Only CPR is (CPR) without mouth-to-mouth breaths. It is recommended for use by people who see a teen or adult suddenly collapse in an "out-of-hospital" setting (such as at home, at work or in a park). It consists of two easy steps:

  1. Call 911 (or send someone to do that).
  2. Push hard and fast in the center of the chest.

When you call 911, you need to stay on the phone until the 911 dispatcher (operator) tells you to hang up. The dispatcher will ask you about the emergency. They will also ask for details like your location. It is important to be specific, especially if you’re calling from a mobile phone as that is not associated with a fixed location or address. Remember that answering the dispatcher’s questions will not delay the arrival of help.

Resources

Milwaukee County Hands-Only CPR Initiative

Milwaukee County Hands Only CPRAll 13 of the Milwaukee County Fire Departments are excited to introduce the Milwaukee County Hands-Only CPR Initiative in conjunction with:

  • Aurora Healthcare
  • Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin
  • Hunger Task Force
  • Milwaukee Admirals
  • Milwaukee County Emergency Medical Services Division (MCEMS)
  • Walgreens

Statistics

Bystander CPR rates in Milwaukee County hover around 20%. This means that a patient in cardiac arrest in Milwaukee County currently has about a 1 in 5 chance of having someone step in to offer CPR prior to the arrival of first responders when they collapse. We think we can do much better. Therefore, the community partners named above have begun implementation of a program designed to capture as many people as possible at sporting events, health fairs, community festivals and provide 10 to 20 minute training in compression-only CPR. Similar Hands-Only CPR initiatives in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area have seen bystander CPR rates increase from around 30% to more than 75% one-year following implementation.

Studies have found that many bystanders report they are hesitant to react in an emergency because they feel they are not properly trained or they are afraid to provide mouth to mouth breaths. The American Heart Association’s research has shown that the heart usually has about ten minutes of residual oxygen in the blood and that providing early chest compressions along with early access to an automatic external defibrillator (AED) provides the best chance for survival in a sudden cardiac emergency.

Certification Trainings

These Hands-Only CPR trainings are free however they are not a certification course. If you are interested in getting certified in CPR (a 3 to 4 hour class), please email Donna Flint, or call 414-357-0113, ext. 1101. 

American Heart Association CPR and First AidAmerican Heart Association CPR & First Aid Certification

North Shore Fire/Rescue provides CPR, First Aid and Blood Borne Pathogen training and certification courses for a fee. Classes are typically 3 to 4 hours in length depending on the number of students and the topics to be covered. Following completion of the course, participants will be issued American Heart Association certification that is valid for 2 years. The cost of these courses is $70 per person. 

The American Heart Association requires a maximum 6 student to 1 instructor ratio. All learning materials are provided with the cost of the course. If you have less than 6 students, others may be added to fill your course. For more information on North Shore Fire/Rescue’s CPR certification offerings, please contact 414-357-0113, ext. 1513 or email Assistant Chief Tyk.