Prairie Ridge HS Student Saves Man's Life Thanks To CPR Training

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — Staff at Prairie Ridge High School are praising a student who they said recently saved a man's life. According to a post on the school's Facebook page, Calista Pollack, a junior at PRHS, relied on her CPR training from her health class during the recent incident. Pollack's training came in handy when she recently dropped her brother off for his Eagle Scout project, and a man at the location was in need of medical attention, according to the school.

According to the school, 911 was called, and the dispatcher told Pollack to begin compressions and start counting.

“I did compressions for about three minutes until the paramedics came," Pollack said, according to the school, who added she was able to keep the man in stable condition until paramedics got there. The school also said Pollack recently heard the man is recovering and doing well.

All students in District 155 are required to take health during their sophomore year, and CPR training is included in the course.

“Students at Prairie Ridge are lucky to have the equipment to practice their CPR technique and practice with an AED machine as well,” Brigid Jones, a health teacher for District 155 said, according to the school.

According to a Facebook post by the man's daughter, Nicole Ordway, the man suffered a major heart attack. However, Ordway notes that there were many miracles amongst the craziness, including Pollack being there at the time, in addition to being someone Ordway said she's known for many years. Ordway added that she and her family are so grateful for Pollack's help.

Pollack also said she was super glad she had the training in school and that she knew what to do.

"I never really thought that I would have to use it," Pollack added, according to the school. "I’m just glad I paid attention during that unit because I was able to give him a better chance of survival."