Woman suffers cardiac arrest at Project Heart Start event

"I personally have family members that have passed away from heart attack, so it's really important that anyone in the family can help them out if they do see something happen," she said.

Alavarez was one of many trainers seen at the Pit for Project Heart Start on Saturday. The annual event is hosted by KOAT and community partners on ways to save someone's life.

Skills include hands-only CPR, how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED), saving a choking victim, and recognizing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack.

Abilities that could make all the difference.

"They got to practice the compressions on an actual mannequin and really got the feel for the movements. How to adjust your body, things like that," she said. "They always love the Heimlich maneuver and helping the choking hazards, because that one's just a little bit more interactive."

They're skills that Sam Deck is learning as he gets older. He was one of the participants with a wealth of knowledge.

"It's pretty much something I need to know. I live in an over 55 community," Deck said.

He's even hoping to share his learning experience with others.

"It's just huge," Deck said. "The more you have available, I would assume that means the better it is to get help. I want to be that difference now."

But that's not all.

Volunteers as young as 12 years old also seen inside the University of New Mexico arena. Many of them doing their own part to help out.

"I just help around and ask people if they know what to do. Put stuff like objects around them, so they won't get in the way," Andrew Ysasi, a volunteer for Project Heart Start, said.

As for training options, there were available. Including a separate section of training for those who couldn't walk down the many steps to the Pit's main floor.

And you never know when you'll actually need the skills.

"One of the people who came here had a cardiac arrest," Dr. Barry Ramo, KOAT's health expert, said.

Ramo himself stepping in and performing CPR on a female participant.

While KOAT didn't film the woman, out of respect for her privacy, Ramo says she is expected to recover.

"She's now on the way to the heart hospital, so you never know when a cardiac arrest is going to happen," he said.

Just yet another example on how dire situations like these can truly be.