Short Video On CPR Can Motivate To Save A Life

DENVER (CBS4) - It's well known CPR can help save lives. "Hands-only" CPR is simpler than ever, but many people won't even try it. Now a new study shows just a one minute long video can motivate bystanders to jump in and help.

The push is for training. Bystander or compression CPR can double or triple survival rates, but in the United States studies show it is only attempted about a quarter of the time. That can change with minimal instruction.

At the American Red Cross Mile High headquarters instructor Heather La Puma teaches the basics of hands-only CPR. It's a simple lesson with just a little practice

"Even if it's just a little bit of help it can go a long way to saving someone's life," La Puma said.

According to a new American Heart Association funded study, participants who watched a 60 second video were significantly more likely to attempt CPR and were better at it.

The Red Cross is all for education.

"What we really want to teach people is that it's easy to do good in these types of situations," Adeeb Khan with the Red Cross said.

The Red Cross has a goal of educating 5 million people in hands-only CPR by the end of 2011.

"With 300 million citizens out there we've still got a lot of work to do," Khan said.

On Saturday, March 19, there will be free CPR training at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. It's part of the Gabrielle Giffords Honorary Save a Life. Red Cross chapters will hold classes at more than 100 locations across the country.