Here is a neat little tool I have been using to check my pulse. Put one hand on your pulse, the other on the spacebar, and tap the spacebar to the beat of your pulse. I am pretty good at it now so it only takes 4 or 5 taps to get a good reading.
http://www.all8.com/tools/bpm.htm
http://www.all8.com/tools/bpm.htm