By Brianna Kelly, American Red Cross 

When every second counts, being trained to respond in an emergency can make a lifesaving difference. No one knows this better than Fernando Ballesteros, a Security Supervisor at Loews Coronado Bay Resort in San Diego, California. 

Recently, Fernando was working at the resort when his team was notified of a guest who appeared to be choking. Fernando jumped into action, responding immediately and finding the guest was unable to speak or breathe. Using his training, he quickly assessed the situation and determined that lifesaving action was needed. Fernando performed the Heimlich maneuver and was able to dislodge the guest’s airway obstruction and restore her breathing.

Fernando’s heroic and decisive actions to aid the guest in distress demonstrated exceptional courage and presence of mind. For his lifesaving actions, the American Red Cross of San Diego and Imperial Counties recently honored Fernando with the Red Cross Lifesaving Award Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action. The national Lifesaving Awards Program is a Red Cross Training Services program that recognizes and honors individuals and teams who save or sustain a life using first aid skills. Red Cross Training Services teaches lifesaving skills to an average of more than 9 million people each year, including thousands of individuals in Southern California. 

A surprise to Fernando, the award was presented to him by Sean Mahoney, Regional CEO of the American Red Cross Southern California Region, as well as Jonathan Smith, Director of Security for Loews Coronado Bay Resort, who nominated Fernando for the award. Joining the celebration were several of Fernando’s colleagues, who gathered to recognize his lifesaving actions.

“At the Red Cross, we know that every second counts in an emergency, and when we see someone step in to provide aid during an emergency, we want to honor that heroism,” says Mahoney. “The ultimate goal of all training is that, when needed, it can be successfully put into action, and that’s just what Fernando has done.”

Fernando’s story is a reminder that emergencies can happen anywhere, and training helps people respond with confidence when every second matters. For more information on Red Cross training opportunities near you, visit redcross.org/TakeAClass.