Arizona man 'saves woman's life' with CPR he learned from watching The Office
Performing CPR to "Stayin' Alive" used to be recommended in the US as the song contains 103 beats per minute
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A man with no proper CPR training managed to resuscitate a woman based on what he had learnt from a scene in The Office, according to local media reports.
According to the Arizona Daily Star, tyre shop technician Cross Scott was test driving a customer’s vehicle on 11 January when he saw a car pulled over with its hazard lights flashing.
He found an unconscious woman behind the wheel. Scott smashed the car window with a rock and, with no phone to call emergency services, he attempted to rescuscitate her.
“I’ve never prepared myself for CPR in my life,” Scott said. “I had no idea what I was doing.”
Fortunately, Scott had seen an episode of The Office where Steve Carrell’s character, also named (Michael) Scott, tells his staff to perform CPR to the tune of Bee Gees hit “Stayin’ Alive”.
Performing CPR to “Stayin’ Alive” used to be recommended in the US as the song contains 103 beats per minute. However, technology in medicine means that there are devices that can sense the pressure and rate of chest compressions.
Dr Jasmeet Soar, chair of the Resuscitation Council (UK), told the BBC in 2011: “I agree that alternative prompt and feedback devices are probably better than music for improving the rate and depth of chest compressions given to patients with cardiac arrest.
“More importantly, if someone has collapsed, is unconscious and unresponsive, and not breathing or just making occasional gasps, dial 999 and start chest compressions. Push hard at about two compressions per second.
“After 30 chest compressions, give two rescue breaths if you are trained – if not, just carry on giving chest compressions until expert help arrives.”
Courtney Slanaker, executive director of the Red Cross Southern Arizona chapter, told the Daily Star that “if you don’t do CPR, that victim will die. Don’t be afraid to act. Whatever you do will help that victim and hopefully prevent a death,” and confirmed that “Stayin’ Alive” is the correct rhythm for chest compressions.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Soon after, the woman apparently drew a breath and vomited, at which point Scott rolled her onto her side. Emergency services arrived at the scene 10 minutes later, telling Scott he might have saved the woman’s life.
Tucson Fire Department wouldn’t release any additional details about the incident other than that the woman was later released from hospital.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments