With “Stayin’ Alive” by the Beegees playing in the background, Gennaro Manocchio’s health class practiced their chest compressions in time with the beat.

As part of the CHQ 250 program and to fulfill the new requirements for graduation from New York state, Manocchio’s class learned “hands-only” CPR, how to operate an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and how to recognize a heart attack on Friday afternoon.

Shawn Tibbitts of the Jamestown Fire Department visited the class to impart this life-saving knowledge to the students.

Tibbitts said the hands-only CPR technique has helped many people survive what previously would have been unsurvivable circumstances.

“It’s just as effective if not more effective as traditional CPR,” he said. “Without immediate intervention, (the person’s) chances of survival are only about 12 percent. However, when CPR is administered, that rate doubles or even triples.”

He said in many cases, hands-only CPR gives someone a fighting chance.

A video was shown which instructed students on the techniques of hands-only CPR in the situation that they find someone who is unresponsive or not breathing.

The first step is to call 911 or have someone else call. The second step is to put the heel of one hand in the middle of the victim’s chest and place the other hand on top. With hands interlocked, push directly down on the chest in a hard and fast manner.

Tibbitts said it is important that the compressions go approximately two inches deep into the chest, which is about the size of the short end of a credit card.

He said the chest should also fully rise at the end of each push.The video instructed the students not to be afraid of performing CPR because any CPR is better than no CPR.

Tibbitts also pointed out that it is important to evaluate the scene before performing CPR to make sure it is safe.

It is also important to continue CPR until medical professionals arrive, and to take turns if there are more people in the area.

Ideally, Tibbitts said there should be 100 pumps a minute made. An easy way to remember this is to perform CPR to the beat of “Stayin’ Alive” by the Beegees, which is approximately 100 beats per minute.

He said if the students are performing CPR correctly, they will hear the sound of cracking ribs – but that doesn’t mean to stop.

“At that point, they’re dead. You’re not hurting them, so don’t be scared,” Tibbitts said. “You’re giving them a shot at survival.”

He also showed the students how to use an AED and taught them how to recognize a heart attack and a stroke.

Students were then able to practice the techniques on CPR mannequin throughout the classroom.

Mannochio said the training was very timely due to recently change graduation requirements in New York state. Students are now required to be trained in CPR, AED use and recognizing the symptoms and signs of a heart attack.

He said other districts throughout the U.S. have partnered with their local fire departments and have had great success.

For more information on hands-only CPR, visit cpr.heart.org.