When it comes to saving a life, how far would you go?

We know what CPR is: Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation. It's used to restart a heart that has stopped. It involves lot of hard work pumping a patient's chest, alternating with another person to force air into the lungs and counting breaths. Of course, it's a worthwhile effort, and many of us have taken CPR classes to learn how to do it.

Unfortunately, far too many people won't even try to administer CPR for one main reason: They are hesitant to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Now there's an alternative to standard Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation. It's called Continuous Chest Compressions CPR, or Cardiocerebral Resuscitation, and since it doesn't involve any mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, one person can do it alone. This relatively simple, hands-only technique can double a heart-attack victim's chances of survival.

The new method focuses on keeping blood pumping through the heart and to the brain (notice the "cerebral" part of the name), which is crucial for the survival of the victim. It doesn't do much good if you get the heart started but the brain has been without blood for too long.

If you're interested in learning this technique, there are three steps before you begin. Go online to www.heart.arizona.edu, and you'll find a link right on the front page. Watch the video. Step two is to ask your doctor if you should learn this technique to use on anyone in your family who might have a heart condition, or on anyone else. Step three is to find a class in your community. While the video is better than nothing, for something this serious, a class is the best way to learn it properly.