Life-Saving Beats: The Ultimate CPR Song Playlist for Emergency Situations

A list of CPR songs with the recommended beats per minute (BPM) for performing CPR.

Feel the rhythm – and save a life. When administering CPR, it’s important to perform chest compressions at the right rate. Timing the compressions to a song with the correct BPM can help rescuers provide effective CPR.

To help you find the right tempo, we’ve created a playlist with songs to do CPR to. You may have heard of “Stayin’ Alive” as the unofficial CPR song. It’s a great choice, but there are plenty of other songs you can use. Check out the full playlist below and keep reading to learn more about beats per minute for CPR.

Understanding Beats per Minute for CPR

Beats per minute means the number of pulses given within one minute. For CPR, this number refers to the speed at which chest compressions are administered.

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends administering CPR chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 BPM. This rate was determined based on extensive research on how to restore blood flow during a cardiac emergency.

The Role of Music in CPR

When teaching CPR, trainers will often recommend that students pick a CPR song. This song can be used as a reference when administering CPR. It should be within the recommended beats per minute for CPR to help you find and maintain the right speed during chest compressions. Thinking of the song will help you stay calm in a stressful situation, and help you be the difference between life and death!

The Impact on Survival Rates

The beats per minute for CPR have been carefully selected by the AHA for a reason. By following this guideline, you’re more likely to successfully resuscitate a victim of cardiac arrest.

Top Songs to Perform CPR To

We gathered some CPR songs below, each with a BPM between 100 to 120.

  • “Stayin’ Alive” by Bee Gees:
    Perhaps the most commonly used CPR song, this 60s classic has an ideal tempo of around 104 beats per minute. The well-known rhythm and tune are easy to remember and recall during CPR. Plus, the title makes it a fitting choice!
  • “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé ft. Jay-Z:
    You can never go wrong with Queen Bey. With a BPM of 99, this song also falls within the ideal range of beats per minute for CPR. It has an upbeat melody and a consistent rhythm, making it another great CPR song.
  • “Dancing Queen” by ABBA:
    With a catchy melody and memorable lyrics, this song is another great option among songs to do CPR to. It has a tempo of around 100 beats per minute, which falls within the AHA-recommended range.
  • “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor:
    Rounding out the playlist is another aptly-titled classic. With an empowering message and steady rhythm, this song is appropriate for CPR chest compressions. It has 117 beats per minute, perfectly within range.

Top CPR Songs on Spotify

We’ve compiled all of the CPR songs listed above into a playlist. Click the link above to view the 100 BPM songs for CPR playlist. You might even find a new favorite song!

Remember, the most crucial aspect of CPR is proper technique and quick action. While these songs can help you maintain the recommended tempo, it is vital to stay focused on the task at hand and seek professional medical assistance as soon as possible.

Top CPR Songs on YouTube

Comprehensive CPR guide

ultimate cpr guide

The Ultimate CPR Guide

Everything you need to know about CPR in one convenient guide. There’s no substitute for training, but this guide is a great refresher or starting point in your CPR journey. It contains instructions for adult, child, infant, and even pet CPR.

SureFire CPR Ratio Chart and Key Numbers

CPR Ratio Chart and Key Numbers

Review essential CPR numbers with our helpful chart. From compression ratios to hand placement, we’ve consolidated the essential information in one source for you using the latest information from the American Heart Association.

Hands-Only-CPR-vs-Mouth-to-Mouth-CPR-Guide

Hands-Only CPR vs. Mouth-to-Mouth CPR Guide

 

Is the mouth-to-mouth technique we see on TV still the right way to administer CPR? Learn when to use (and when not to use) hands-only CPR and mouth-to-mouth CPR in this helpful post. Knowing the difference could save a life.

Turns out, that song stuck in your head might just save a life. We hope you found this list of songs to do CPR to helpful. If you’re interested in learning more, check out the other CPR resources available on our site. We have a wide range of articles including step-by-step instructions to helpful FAQs on many CPR topics.

While online guides are helpful, they’re not a replacement for a training class. If you’ve never taken a CPR course––or if it’s time to renew your certification––don’t delay. The sooner you learn CPR, the sooner you’re able to make a difference in the face of an emergency. With the skills and knowledge you gain, you’ll be able to respond quickly and effectively.

Register for a CPR training session with SureFire CPR today to become certified in the techniques you’ve read about here. Our training classes are expert-led, engaging, and informative. With real-world stories from the field, the latest industry insights, and a fun approach to learning, we’ve developed a CPR class unlike any other.

FAQ’s

The recommended BPM for performing CPR is between 100-120 beats per minute.

You can determine the beats per minute for a particular song by counting the beats in 15 seconds and multiplying that number by 4. You can usually also find out with a quick online search.

Maintaining the correct BPM during CPR helps restore oxygen to the brain. The CPR compression rate was determined by the American Heart Association.

You can use any song as long as it falls within the 100-120 BPM range. It’s best to use songs that you know well and will be able to remember in the event you need to perform CPR.

In lieu of a song, you can use a metronome set to the correct BPM.

Not sure what songs are within the recommended BPM range? Check out our playlist above featuring songs that are the right tempo for CPR.

Music can help a rescuer maintain the correct rhythm while administering chest compressions during CPR. The more accurate the compressions, the better the victim’s chance of survival.

Yes, there is plenty of research that supports music’s aid for CPR administrators. Visit the American Heart Association to see the latest research and statistics.

Compression rate does not vary with age. However, the ratio of rescue breaths to chest compressions varies between adults, children, and infants.

In the event of cardiac arrest, there are no guarantees. If you perform CPR, it’s important to be as accurate as possible. Keep in mind that it’s always better to attempt CPR than not.

Yes! See the playlist above for a list of songs with the recommended BPM for CPR. We’ve included a range of songs within 100-120 BPM.

Music does not necessarily make someone better at administering CPR, but keeping a song in mind can help rescuers maintain the correct compression rate. Remember that CPR should be performed right away, so you should never delay care to put on music.

Studying songs with a 100-120 BPM during CPR training can help you internalize the correct chest compression rate.

In addition to helping you maintain the correct CPR BPM, thinking of a song during CPR can help you stay focused.

You can usually search online for a song’s BPM. You can also download BPM detector apps.

The BPM for “Stayin’ Alive” by the BeeGees is 104 BPM. It falls within the recommended range – and has an appropriate title – making it a popular choice for CPR learners.

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About the author

Zack-Zarrilli
I spent 15 years as a firefighter and paramedic...

And too often I would arrive on the scene of someone unconscious, surrounded by a circle of people feeling helpless. Sometimes those people would even have CPR training but lacked the confidence and experience to act.

That’s why I started SureFire CPR. Our classes are practical and engaging – teaching you the crucial skills you need to know what to do and feel empowered to take action.

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Zack Zarrilli, Founder

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