Holiday songs that could help save lives

When you hear a favorite holiday tune, you might not immediately connect it with CPR. But there’s an easy-to-understand reason why you might want to start, said Dr. John W. Hafner, a clinical professor of emergency medicine at the University of Illinois Chicago College of Medicine Peoria.

“You can really save a life just by doing simple chest compressions and pushing hard and pushing fast,” he said. “And music can help you remember how fast is fast.”

Here are some holiday-themed songs with 100 to 120 beats per minute for performing CPR:

“Last Christmas” by Wham! (108 beats per minute)

“Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” by Elmo and Patsy (110 beats per minute)

“Winter Wonderland” by Ray Charles (110 beats per minute)

“Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms (120 beats per minute)

— MAYO CLINIC NEWS NETWORK