Researchers say 'Nellie the Elephant' might rescuers keep your heart going

LONDON: Humming to upbeat songs like Nellie the Elephant while compressing the chest of a heart attack victim could improve a life-saving heart resuscitation technique, scientists said yesterday.

A study into cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training found that listening to music with the right tempo helped people keep to a rate of 100 chest compressions per minute - the rate recommended in expert guidelines.

CPR is a potentially life-saving technique that can be taught to people with no other medical skills. It can double heart attack survival rates if it is carried out on a patient one to two minutes before emergency services arrive.