Athletic trainer Ariel Castro from Ganesha High was honored during our 19th Annual Hometown Heroes luncheon for, saving Coach Don Cayer’s life with CPR after he collapsed during a game. Her quick thinking, Red Cross CPR training, and emergency preparedness were crucial. Photo by Stephanie Grande/American Red Cross.
Athletic trainer Ariel Castro, from Ganesha High School in Pomona, showcased her life-saving skills when head coach Don Cayer collapsed during the final moments of a high school football game. Drawing upon her Red Cross CPR training and American Heart Association instruction, Castro sprang into action.
Activating the team's emergency action plan, Castro called for the AED and coordinated with others to summon emergency services. Castro remained composed and focused, continuing CPR until paramedics arrived. Upon their arrival, EMTs applied the AED and administered chest compressions, ultimately restoring Coach Cayer's breathing.
“The score was close and the very last second I hear 'Ariel, Ariel' and I turn around Cayer was on the ground” said Castro. “He started seizing. We activated our EMS team. EMT pulled out their AED and we got the airbag mask to give him rescue breaths and we started the CPR together. I was just kind of facilitating everybody, monitoring his vitals making sure that he was responding to the AED and the airbag mask.”
Thanks to Castro's quick thinking and skillful intervention, Coach Cayer survived what was diagnosed as a heart attack. He was transported to the hospital for further treatment and has been steadily recovering since.
Castro's heroism serves as a testament to the importance of CPR training and emergency preparedness. Her swift actions and unwavering dedication undoubtedly played a crucial role in saving Coach Cayer's life.
You never know when and where you will need to save someone's life. Learn CPR today by visiting redcross.org/take-a-class/cpr.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
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