Retha Walker Uses Red Cross CPR Skills

Retha Walker, an employee with the City of Los Angeles Personnel Department, intended to make a quick stop at her local bank’s ATM. After finishing her transaction, Retha heard a woman at a nearby vehicle screaming, “He’s not breathing! He’s not breathing!”

Retha rushed over to find “a big man, about 6’2,” unconscious inside the vehicle. Tears were draining from his eyes, as if he had been struggling to breathe before passing out. Retha was worried that because of his size and position in the car, she would be unable to help him. However, time was passing and she knew she needed to act.

Retha instructed the man’s wife to call 911 and then removed the victim from the vehicle. Finding no pulse, Retha immediately initiated CPR, which she learned in her City-sponsored American Red Cross CPR class. She was just finishing her last cycle when the man started coughing and the paramedics arrived.

Retha credits her Red Cross CPR instructor, Bob Gorman, and the City of Los Angeles for its commitment to training its employees in CPR and First Aid.

“The class was very informative and Bob used humor to keep our attention throughout the session,” said Retha. “I tell everyone to take the CPR class because there have been a number of changes.”Bob, in turn, credits Retha for her quick thinking in the emergency. “It’s reassuring as an instructor to see my students utilize their valuable skills.”

For more information about the American Red Cross Workplace Health and Safety Training classes, please call (310) 445-2688.

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Photo: City of Los Angeles employee Retha Walker (right) credits Red Cross CPR and First Aid instructor Bob Gorman with teaching her the skills to save a man’s life.

Tags: , aed, CPR, Health and Safety Training, life-saving, retha walker