Bee Gees Hit Could Save Lives

"Stayin' Alive," the 1977 hit by the Bee Gees, has taken on a literal meaning; researchers have found the song could save your life. 

US medics discovered the song has an exemplary beat to follow when performing CPR on a cardiac arrest victim. The song contains 103 beats per minute, which is ideal considering the recommended rate for chest compressions is 100 per minute. 

During the study researchers asked participants to perform CPR on mannequins while listening to "Stayin' Alive." When they followed the song's beat the participants performed an average of 109 chest compressions per minute. Five weeks later the participants were asked back to perform CPR again but this time they were asked to think of the song. In this instance participants performed an average of 113 chest compression per minute. This is more than the recommended number suggested by the American Heart Association, but it's better than performing too few compressions. The song also encourage participants to keep up the compression rate - perhaps the most important factor when performing CPR. 

It's possible this information will save lives and promote a resurgence of the song, driving album sales for the Bee Gees.  Can you imagine someone humming "Stayin' Alive" while performing CPR - kinda awesome.