Life
My favorite episode of The Office is “Stress Relief,” where Dwight decides to test everyone’s safety skills via a too-realistic fire drill. This gives poor Stanley a heart attack and Michael has someone come in to teach the employees CPR on a dummy. Before Dwight cuts off the dummy’s face and wears it as a mask (classic Dwight), the instructor demonstrates how to perform CPR to “Stayin’ Alive.” At 100 bpm, "Stayin’ Alive" keeps perfect time for CPR, but the Bee Gees classic isn't the only option. “Baby Shark”and other songs perfect for teaching CPR can make saving someone's life a whole lot easier, as strange as that might sound.
As Lora Brightwell Ulmer, an ICU nurse, explains, "100 BPM is the optimal pace because it’s fast but still allows enough time for the provider to give a deep chest compression. As you compress, the blood is pumped out of the heart and as you come back up, blood enters the heart." And here you thought “Baby Shark" had no other value than the ability to annoy the crap out of you and stay stuck in your head for eternity.
Turns out, a ton of other popular songs (including ‘90s songs, swoon) are ideal for teaching CPR, including “Dancing Queen” by ABBA, “Rumour Has It” by Adele, “Just Dance” by Lady Gaga, “Work It” by Missy Elliott, “Say You’ll Be There” by the Spice Girls, "MMMBop” by Hanson, “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman, “Fly” by Sugar Ray, and even “Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)” by The Backstreet Boys. Seems like most ‘90s songs were 100 BPM, doesn’t it? So be sure to throw at least one of these songs (or the songs below) onto your iPod, you know, in case you ever need to save someone’s life or teach someone else how to save a life performing CPR.
1
"Suddenly I See" by KT Tunstall
"Suddenly [you'll] see" (hopefully) faces light up in a CPR class when they get the rhythm correct when learning and practicing CPR to this song.
2
"Heart and Soul" T'Pau
A fitting song about hearts....har har har.
3
"What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye
What's going on? Everyone learning how to save lives, that's what.
4
"Walk Like An Egyptian" by The Bangles
If I was learning how to do CPR to this song, I may be distracted and try to get up and "Walk Like an Egyptian." This song is the catchiest, y'all.
5
"Five To One" by The Doors
This one should be easy to remember because your dad blared it on Saturday mornings to get you out of bed — or maybe that's just my hippie dad?
6
"Sorry" Justin Bieber
I'm "sorry" I included this song on this list and it's now in your head.
7
"Who's That Girl" by Madonna
Is there anything Madonna can't do?
8
"Rock Your Body" By Justin Timberlake
"Don't be so quick to walk away" from someone who needs your help. Get this song in your head and save their life. You got this.
9
"Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Never would have thought this song of all songs would be one to help people learn to save someone's life. I feel like the original Skynyrd guys would be so proud.
10
"Hips Don't Lie" by Shakira ft. Wyclef Jean
I knew you could definitely move your hips to this song, but performing life-saving measures? That's pretty awesome.
11
"Notorious B.I.G." by The Notorious B.I.G. (feat. Lil' Kim & Puff Daddy)
This song is becoming "Notorious" for helping people to learn CPR.
12
"Body Movin'" by The Beastie Boys
Keep your body moving and someone's heart pumping while keeping to the beat of this song by the Beastie Boys.
13
"Crazy In Love" by Beyonce ft. JayZ
Queen Bee — saving lives one fabulous song at a time.
14
"Girls Just Want To Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper
Girls just want to have fun — and learn CPR, of course.
15
"Crazy" by Gnarles Barkley
It's not so crazy that this song is on this list. It's got a nice tempo and it's definitely catchy, so this is definitely a great song to think of when learning about or performing CPR.
16
"Float On" By Modest Mouse
If you were in college in the early 2000s, you'll definitely know and remember this song. And remember, there's nothing "modest" about learning how to save lives.
17
"Baby Shark"
And of course, I had to end with this song so it would be stuck in your head the rest of your life like it's stuck in mine.
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