Teach Your Grandkids About Hands-Only CPR

The American Heart Association says the ideal tempo for chest compressions is 100-120 beats per minute. Many CPR training mannequins have lights to alert trainees if they go faster or slower than that rhythm. You’ve probably heard that’s about the speed of “Stayin’ Alive” by disco-era trio The Bee Gees. As classic a tune as this may be, it’s less likely to be familiar to the younger members of your family. It’s important for the next generation to be familiar with the tools that could help save a life. Afterall, the life they help to save could be your own.

Why music helps with CPR

Music provides an internal metronome that sticks with people long after training ends. A familiar tune can also give people something to focus on during a stressful situation. And when minutes count, it helps to be prepared ahead of time with muscle memory that can spring into action. So, here’s a Gen Alpha-approved playlist that can help the younger members of your family bounce along to the beat of life-saving emergency cardiovascular care.

“Golden” – Performed by fictional pop super group Huntrix from the Netflix film “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” this track delivers the perfect CPR tempo.

“360” – Charli XCX’s electronic pop hit clocks in at exactly 120 beats per minute, making it ideal for compression training.

“Please Please Please” – This summer pop sensation by Sabrina Carpenter maintains a steady 107 beats per minute rhythm.

“Jiggle Jiggle” – British-American journalist Louis Theroux’s viral mini-rap spawned countless TikTok dances and hits the right tempo for life-saving compressions.

“Butter” – South Korean pop group BTS delivers this catchy song at exactly 110 beats per minute, perfect for CPR practice.

“Tortured Poets Department” – The title track from Taylor Swift’s 2024 album maintains a consistent 110 beats per minute pace.

“Lil Boo Thang” – Paul Russell transformed his viral social media clip into a full song with a steady 114 beats per minute. Stick to the original version—some exercise remixes are too fast for proper CPR rhythm.

“Texas Hold ‘Em” – From Beyoncé’s country-themed album “Cowboy Carter,” this single strikes the perfect 110 beats per minute rhythm for chest compressions.

“Pink Pony Club” – Chappell Roan’s upbeat anthem about finding your authentic self delivers consistent compressions at 103 beats per minute.

Making CPR training stick

Beyond the beat, hands-only CPR is remarkably simple: Push hard and fast in the center of the chest, let it recoil completely between compressions, and don’t stop until help arrives.

By connecting this life-saving technique to music they already love, you’re not just teaching a skill—you’re embedding it in their everyday world. Because when the moment comes, you want them to act without hesitation. For more information about CPR training, including where to take in-person classes, check out the American Red Cross website.