Increasing the number of people who know about Hands-Only CPR will increase the chance that someone can and will help when an adult suddenly collapses, says the American Heart Association (AHA). The AHA has found that when bystanders use a "hands-only" version of CPR (chest compression alone, without mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing ) more lives can be saved.

If you find yourself in a situation when an adult suddenly collapses, whether you’re trained or untrained the AHA recommends these two steps:

1) Call 911

2) Push hard and fast in the center of the chest.

Studies of real emergencies that have occurred in homes, at work or in public locations, show that these two steps, called Hands-Only CPR, can be as effective as conventional CPR. Providing Hands-Only CPR to an adult who has collapsed from a sudden cardiac arrest can more than double that person’s chance of survival.

The AHA’s website notes: "It’s not normal to see an adult suddenly collapse, but if you do, call 911 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest. Don’t be afraid. Your actions can only help." For detailed information, go to americanheart.org.

Claire Yezbak Fadden is the Associate Editor of LifeAfter50.com.