A remarkable incident unfolded in Carson City, Nevada, where a high school student emerged as a hero after successfully performing CPR on her father. This life-saving intervention, inspired by training received in her health science class, highlights the essential skills that can be learned in school.

The Incident

Iris Ibarra Montes, a ninth grader at Carson High School, displayed immense courage when her father unexpectedly collapsed at home. Following this alarming incident, she promptly called emergency services and began administering chest compressions for over ten minutes—all without the assistance of any adults.

Emergency Response

When paramedics arrived, they found her father unresponsive but stabilized thanks to Iris’s initial efforts. The medical team was subsequently able to resuscitate him, and he is now expected to make a full recovery.

Inspiration and Acknowledgements

Iris attributes her lifesaving knowledge to her health science teacher, Frank Sakelarios. “I just remembered what we practiced in class,” she recounted in a news statement. “It all happened so fast, but I knew I had to keep going until help arrived.”

Sakelarios commended Iris, saying, “Iris is an outstanding student and a shining example of how education can be applied in real-world emergency situations.” He emphasized her warmth, work ethic, and commitment to both her studies and family.

Future Aspirations

Following this event, Iris expressed her intent to pursue a career in sports medicine and nursing. Her experience has not only strengthened her resolve but also serves as an inspiration to her peers regarding the value of health education.

CPR Guidelines

In light of Iris’s heroic actions, understanding CPR is crucial for everyone. The American Red Cross provides the following steps for performing CPR:

• Ensure the scene is safe and check for responsiveness.
• If unresponsive and not breathing or only gasping, call 911.
• Position the person on their back on a firm surface.
• Perform chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute, ensuring a depth of at least 2 inches.
• After every 30 compressions, provide 2 rescue breaths if trained and confident to do so.

Minimize interruptions to chest compressions and use an AED as soon as available.