Roshonda Passmore had just sat down for the morning roll call at 5:58 a.m. on June 6, 2008 when ever so softly – as is her nature – she made mention of a pain in her chest, then she fell out of her chair and lost consciousness. No one knew at first that the 33 year old airport security officer was having a heart attack, but almost immediately gut wrenching pleas went out to dispatch 911, tables were moved, chairs tossed and her highly skilled and very concerned co-workers came to the rescue using cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and an automated external defibrillator (AED). These two life-saving measures highlight the message being promoted by the Greater Houston Area Red Cross, which is planning a mass CPR/AED training session on September 27, 2008 at the Methodist Training Center, where the Texans football team trains at Reliant Center. It is called, “Save a life.”

Two of the airport employees involved in the rescue and Roshonda are being honored during a news conference on Monday August 18, 2008, which is being held in conjunction with the Methodist Debakey Heart and Vascular Center and the Texas Arrhythmia Institute. During the news conference a formal announcement will be made about the upcoming “Save a life,” event.

“These three Houston Airport System employees illustrate the critical need to be trained and the fact that you never know when you may need it,” says Davis Henderson, CEO of the Greater Houston Area Red Cross.

The Red Cross is hoping to train some 1,000 people on that day. The sessions cost $10 per person and will take place from 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

“We’re so glad for these three employees and we’re encouraging people to sign up for our mass CPR/AED training in September,” says Henderson who is hoping people will realize how important it is to get this training.

More than 100 AED’s are strategically placed in the terminals throughout both Intercontinental and Hobby as part of the Houston Airport System’s health and safety program.

Roshonda does not remember much about what happened that day. She’s recuperating and undergoing therapy after spending a month in the hospital.

The mother of three says it has been a shocking and humbling experience.

“I am really glad that my co-workers had the skills to resuscitate me and help save my life,” she said from her bed. “I thank god for getting me through this whole ordeal.”

According to the American Heart Association, coronary heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United State and stroke is the number three cause of death. CPR and AED training may be part of the cure.

For more information about the Save a life event, go to www.methodisthealth.com or call 832-667-5857.

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