El Pasoans receive CPR training

For the first time, Las Palmas LifeCare Center, in partnership with the American Heart Association and the El Paso Fire Department, hosted “CPR Saves”. It was an event consisting of several 30-minute training sessions where high school seniors from participating school districts received CPR training from El Paso Fire Department employees. Once trained, attending high school seniors received a training credit, which is mandatory for graduation.

But it wasn’t just high schoolers. ABC-7 spoke with Ramon Rosales, who was attending the event with his friends. The group usually works out together, and had an important reason for receiving training.

“Some of the people here have had heart attacks before and while we’re exercising at the gym. You never know if something like this could happen,” Rosales said.

Rosales has used another life-saving measure in the past.

“I’ve done the Heimlich maneuver before, but not this,” Rosales said. “He had a piece of meat stuck and he couldn’t breathe so I grabbed him from the back.”

Like others there, Rosales said he was taking the class for his own personal knowledge and to be prepared.

For more information about CPR training and the American Heart Association click here.