Boston EMS empowers city students with life-saving CPR skills

Boston EMS visited the Condon School in South Boston to teach and certify dozens of eighth graders in CPR.

"CPR is one of the most important things that someone can learn because you don't need any equipment," said Roger Hamlet of Boston EMS.

Eighth-grader Noura Alblooshi expresses her newfound confidence.

"By me learning about this now I have the skills and the ability to save someone's life," she said.

First responders emphasize the critical role CPR can play in emergencies, especially when 911 has already been called.

"One time I saw on the news that a 10-year-old was able to save his grandmother because he learned CPR at school," Hamlet said. "So this is a perfect age for us to actually teach this because they are the ones who are home with their family. We are not there all of the time."

Eighth-grader Dariel Santiago reflects on the training's long-term benefits.

"I think this is good for my life in the future because just in case someone needs my help I can help them and save people's lives and they can count on me," he said.

Boston EMS plans to hold similar training sessions at multiple public schools throughout the rest of the school year.