Nevada teen saves dad's life after learning CPR in class: 'I just remembered what we practiced'

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Iris Ibarra Montes, a ninth grader at Carson High School (Credit: Carson City School District)

CARSON CITY, Nev. - A Nevada high school student is being hailed a hero after performing CPR on her father after learning the skill in her health science class.

The backstory:

The Carson City School District said last month, Iris Ibarra Montes went to save her father after he collapsed at home. 

She called 911 and started performing life-saving chest compressions for more than 10 minutes with no other adults around. 

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Paramedics arrived and found the father still unresponsive but were able to resuscitate him. 

First responders said Montes' actions helped stabilize her father's condition until help arrived and transported him to the hospital. He's expected to make a full recovery. 

What they're saying:

Montes credits her "Principles of Health Science" teacher, Frank Sakelarios, for teaching her the skill in his class. 

"I just remembered what we practiced in class," she said in a news release. "It all happened so fast, but I knew I had to keep going until help arrived."

"Iris is an outstanding student and a shining example of how education can be applied in real-world emergency situations," Sakelarios added. "As a first-year student in this program, she has already distinguished herself as one of the kindest, most hardworking, and deeply committed individuals—both in her academics and in her devotion to her family. I know her family hopes this experience will inspire other students to learn more about the program and consider following in her footsteps."

What's next:

Montes said after helping to save her father's life, she plans to study sports medicine and go into nursing. 

How to perform CPR

What you can do:

The American Red Cross gives these instructions on performing CPR: 

• CHECK the scene for safety, form an initial impression and use personal protective equipment (PPE)
• If the person appears unresponsive, CHECK for responsiveness, breathing, life-threatening bleeding or other life-threatening conditions using shout-tap-shout
• If the person does not respond and is not breathing or only gasping, CALL 9-1-1 and get equipment, or tell someone to do so
• Kneel beside the person. Place the person on their back on a firm, flat surface
• The American Red Cross CPR guidelines recommend 100 to 120 chest compressions per minute, 30 at a time. Remember these five points:Hand position: Two hands centered on the chestBody position: Shoulders directly over hands; elbows lockedCompression depth: At least 2 inchesRate of compressions: 100 to 120 per minuteAllow chest to return to normal position after each compression
• Hand position: Two hands centered on the chest
• Body position: Shoulders directly over hands; elbows locked
• Compression depth: At least 2 inches
• Rate of compressions: 100 to 120 per minute
• Allow chest to return to normal position after each compression
• Give 2 breathsOpen the airway to a past-neutral position using the head-tilt/chin-lift techniquePinch the nose shut, take a normal breath, and make complete seal over the person’s mouth with your mouth.Ensure each breath lasts about 1 second and makes the chest rise; allow air to exit before giving the next breath
• Open the airway to a past-neutral position using the head-tilt/chin-lift technique
• Pinch the nose shut, take a normal breath, and make complete seal over the person’s mouth with your mouth.
• Ensure each breath lasts about 1 second and makes the chest rise; allow air to exit before giving the next breath

Note: If the 1st breath does not cause the chest to rise, retilt the head and ensure a proper seal before giving the 2nd breath If the 2nd breath does not make the chest rise, an object may be blocking the airway

• Continue giving sets of 30 chest compressions and 2 breaths. Use an AED as soon as one is available! Minimize interruptions to chest compressions to less than 10 seconds.