Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of Texans with four-out-of-five cardiac arrests occurring at home. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) saves lives, but most people are unprepared to help when a loved one, friend or colleague needs CPR. The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Medicine’s Emergency Medicine Club will partner with the Texas College of Emergency Physicians (TCEP), the Texas Medical Association, HealthCorps and the American College of Emergency Physicians to host “Texas Two Step: How to Save a Life” from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. February 24.

The Texas Two Step, a 10-minute training session in hands-only CPR, will teach participants how to act quickly to save a life by taking two steps that include calling 9-1-1 and beginning hands-only CPR. CPR is a lifesaving technique that aims to keep blood and oxygen flowing through the body when a person’s heartbeat and breathing have stopped.

“CPR performed within the first six minutes of the heart stopping can keep someone alive until medical help arrives,” said Fahad Ali, second-year medical student and Emergency Medicine Club member. “Most people may hesitate to help when CPR is needed. By learning the basic steps and knowing how to do CPR properly, we hope those who come to the event will feel empowered to respond if the situation should ever arise.”

Texas Two Step CPR Training will provide life-saving training for all Texans, while offering medical students an opportunity to work with their communities. Representatives from all nine Texas medical schools will participate. Last year, the event trained more than 6,500 individuals in 42 locations throughout Texas.

The event will take place at the following locations:

United Market Street, 4425 19th St.

Texas Tech University (TTU) Student Union Building, 15th and Akron Ave.

TTU Robert H. Ewalt Student Recreation Center, 3219 Main St.

The free event is open to the public. Participants will practice on mannequins and will be provided with educational materials summarizing the skills learned. For more information about Texas Two Step, email fahad.ali@ttuhsc.edu or visit texacep.org.