The CPaRlington program offered by Arlington's Fire Department continues to grow, with more than 1,000 residents recently undergoing training in Hands-Only CPR. This is an easier and faster way of learning CPR.

Hands-Only CPR is just what it sounds like. The CPaRlington program teaches residents how to properly use your hands to perform chest compressions without using mouth-to-mouth.

According to EMS Clinical Coordinator Gene Bates says, learning this technique does not require much of your time.

"I can actually show you in 20 seconds and you can learn it within a minute," he said.

Bates went on to say the Hands-Only CPR technique is the reason why so many residents are getting trained.

"We are getting a lot more people on board because you don't have to teach them the breathing part or pulse check," explained Bates.

The CPaRlington program partners with American Medical Response (AMR) to deliver the training.

AMR managed three training sessions in one day in May at Global Life Park, The Parks Mall and Anderson Elementary, with 2,395 people life-saving techniques. By the end of May, more than 4,000 people received training.

According to Bates, mouth-to mouth is not the only option when a person collapses. A person can use Hands-Only CPR until medics arrive. The hardest part of the Hands-Only CPR is where to put your hands and how fast and hard to compress on the person.

"Push as hard as you can, a hundred times a minute, it's that simple."

Hands-Only CPR is so simple that even five- and six-year-olds are learning this technique.

"By the end of the class, we see kids correcting their parents' techniques," said Bates.

Bates says data shows that more and more people are surviving cardiac arrest because of the Hands-Only CPR.

"We have more than double our survival rate in the two years that we have had this Hands-Only CPR in existence," he said.

The Arlington Fire Department typically holds a "survivor celebration" featuring the patient, family members, EMS provider, the bystanders that might have done the CPR, dispatchers and others involved in helping the survivor.

"Some of the celebrations can be very emotional, especially when somebody that you helped hugs you and says 'thank you,'" Bates said. Lifesaving certificates are presented to those responsible for saving a life."

If you are interested in learning this life-saving technique, visit the CPaRlington website.