Attempting to set CPR world record

STAMFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- Breaking a world record for a good cause: that's what organizers of Hands For Life are trying to do in Stamford.

Signs, signs and more signs. They're dotting downtown Stamford. "Be a hero and save a life on August 25th."

"We would like Stamford and the entire state of Connecticut to come down to Chelsea Piers to learn how to do hands only CPR and make Connecticut and Stamford very heart healthy," said Jami Sherwood, Hands For Life.

Hands For Life wants to set a new Guinness World Record. The goal is training 10,000 people on hands only CPR in one day.

"You're going to check them, hey, hey are you okay, call, call 911, then start doing compressions," said Dr. Tom Nero.

Interventional cardiologist Dr. Nero says CPR doubles the odds of surviving a cardiac arrest.

"Essentially by doing the compression you're going to keep that body and brain alive until someone can get a defibrillator there," Dr. Nero said.

That's exactly what happened to Llew Smith.

"I wouldn't have survived," said Smith.

Smith was at a parking lot with two co-workers close by.

"One of them dragged me out of my car and started immediately doing hand-on-hand CPR and the other called 911," Smith said, "within a couple minutes the Darien Police were there with a defibrillator."

"You're going to push down about two inches and you want to sort of do it to the tune of staying alive, which is about 100 beats a minute," a voice said during a training session.

It's the first time for Mary Morris to learn about CPR.

"It's more physically exerting than you think it's going to be," said Mary Morris.

So check, call, compress, and give someone a fighting chance at life.

Dr. Nero says the worst thing you can do if someone goes into cardiac arrest is not do anything.

Hands only CPR takes about 15 minutes to learn, which is nothing compared to the life you could save.

For more information visit Hands For Life website .