Glossary
Hands-only CPR
CPR with chest compressions only, no breaths. Easy to learn, but drowning victims also need rescue breaths.
Hands-only CPR is CPR with chest compressions and no rescue breaths. It is quick to learn and widely taught. In New York City, the FDNY Free CPR Program (opens in a new tab) teaches a free 30-minute class in hands-only CPR and basic AED use; it is not a certification class, and groups of 15 or more can request one.
For a drowning, hands-only CPR is not the whole answer. Drowning is a breathing emergency, so the 2024 American Heart Association and AAP guidelines (opens in a new tab) say resuscitation must restore breathing as much as circulation. Water Safety USA (opens in a new tab) recommends learning CPR with both chest compressions and rescue breaths.
So what should you do?
- If hands-only CPR is all you know, call 911 and use it. Doing something is better than doing nothing.
- Then take a full CPR class that teaches rescue breaths, especially if you care for children or spend time near water.
See where to learn CPR and drowning myths and facts.
What you can do today: if you took hands-only CPR, sign up for a full course that adds breaths.