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CPR Awareness Training At Local High School

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Students at a North Hills high school took a break from classes this week for a different kind of lesson.

Kids at Vincentian Academy watched and learned as the owners of "Start The Heart" demonstrated how to properly give CPR. In addition, they learned about AEDs and First Aid.

After watching their instructors, the students had a chance to try the technique on mannequins. Many said the experience was eye-opening.

"I didn't know much coming in, so I was a little scared. But I feel better coming out of it, as if I could help someone," said senior David Jen.

Senior Julia Galbraith agreed that she felt more prepared in case of an emergency.

"It was super beneficial, now I know how to do proper chest compressions at the proper rate and now I know how to save a life and use the defibrillator," she said.

Instructors said that awareness is a huge part of CPR training.

"People think that its not going to happen to them, or it won't happen to their family member and chances are, it will be somebody in your family or somebody that you know if you have to do CPR on somebody," said Brenda Frank with Start The Heart.

She explained the more people who know what to do, the better.

"Every second matters when someone is in cardiac arrest, you need to get on them immediately, there is really no time to waste," Frank said.

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