Believe it or not, this is a real procedure! The precordial thump can be used to jumpstart the heart if a defibrillator is not available, although the success rates are not particularly high. It can be particularly useful if you witness an event where, for example, an individual is hit in the chest with an object and their heart stops, which is known as commotio cortis. In the recommended technique, you raise your hand about 20 cm above the inferior part of the sternum and strike downward with t