Shortly after arriving at a ball park, Tina Royer’s dad told her that he wasn’t feeling well.

A few minutes into practice, he collapsed onto the ground.

Tina took one look at his face and saw her dad wasn’t with her anymore. He wasn’t breathing and needed help.

Holding back tears, Tina knew just what to do next. She started CPR and asked her assistant to call 911.

“Stay with me, Dad. I need you,” she told him.

Tina heard cracking as she did compressions and realized that she broke his ribs but she continued until first responders took him to the hospital.

Later, her dad told her that the rib pain was the best pain ever because he felt pain and that means he’s still alive.

Tina proudly walked her dad out of the hospital after 36 hours. He is alive and well today because of her quick actions.

As a CPR instructor for the Red Cross, Tina is helping others save lives.

“Training matters. I was trained my whole life in CPR. I never knew that that training would prepare me to save my dad’s life. If you’re certified, practice. If you’re not certified, get certified,” she said.

Knowing CPR is proof that you never know when you’ll be the difference between life and loss.

Red Cross CPR classes take just a few short hours, but the skills you'll learn during the process can make all the difference to someone in need.

Whether you choose an online and classroom hybrid or a fully in-person session, you’ll gain essential skills such as recognizing the signs of cardiac arrest, performing CPR (chest compressions and rescue breaths), and using an Automated External Defibrilla or (AED). You’ll also learn first aid techniques to help in emergencies.

Go to redcross.org/take-a-class for more information about CPR training.

One class. One moment. One life saved.