Raising Awareness: Hands-Only CPR

In the event that an adult suddenly collapses in front of you, American Heart Association advises that Hands-Only CPR be administered, even if you have no formal CPR training. This involves chest compressions only, without mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and can greatly increase the victim's chances of surviving a cardiac arrest.

About 94 percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims die before reaching a hospital, the group said. Up to 80 percent of sudden cardiac arrests occur at home, it added. Brain death begins four to six minutes after a person suffers sudden cardiac arrest if no CPR or defibrillation is given.