12-Year-Old Learns CPR, Saves Father's Life Weeks Later
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FRISCO (CBSDFW.COM) – The City of Frisco is crediting Frisco ISD and its CPR curriculum for helping a 12-year-old middle school student save her father's life.
Just two months ago, sixth graders at Cobb Middle School practiced CPR on training devices. Little did one of them -- Aerin Thomas -- know she would be performing it weeks later on her own father.
Aerin shared critical information with a 911 operator and stepped in to help her mom after her father Joe suffered a heart attack after mowing the lawn. "We thought it was over… we did. He was turning different colors," said Aerin's mother Angela Thomas.
Angela Thomas started CPR on Joe, but Aerian thought her technique was off.
"I didn't think she was pushing it in the right place. I was thinking back to what I learned PE," said Aerin, who used all her strength to continue chest compressions for five minutes until paramedics arrived. "That was tough," she said.
Now nine days later, Aerin's father is recuperating at home.
"I would say it saved his life I don't think there's any question," said Frisco Fire Chief Mark Piland. Aerin's mother agreed. "She was so calm and just to be bold and taking the initiative to do that... is really amazing."
Representatives from the Frisco Fire and Police departments honored Aerin before her classmates at Cobb Middle School, but the biggest praise comes from her father.
"I'm just glad she paid attention in class; bet she didn't know she was going to have to use it so quick," he said.
CPR in P.E. class has been part of the curriculum for all sixth grade students in Frisco ISD since 2012.
Aerian's dad is one of 4 Frisco residents in the past 60 days that the fire chief said saved by CPR.
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