Applies life-saving skills learned at Verde Campus when earning Fitness Trainer/Instructor Certificate
Selena Castillo, a 22-year-old Yavapai Community College student from Cottonwood, saved her mother’s life by applying CPR skills learned at the College.
The incident occurred during a break in the Community College schedule when Selena’s mother began experiencing some health issues. Selena and her older sister, Beatrize, also a Yavapai Community College Alumna, were helping her mother manage them. Late one night, the sisters discovered their mother unconscious and breathing sporadically. Bea initially tried mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, but could not wake her.
Calling 911 for help, the dispatcher suggested doing chest compression. Selena, who had been taught the correct procedure for chest compression, then performed life-saving CPR on her mother.
The dispatcher stayed on the phone to help Selena until Emergency Medical Services arrived. When interviewed, Selena said that “I was very calm―even though it was my first-time applying CPR to a real person instead of a dummy―and that person was my mother!” The parting words from the paramedics who transported her mother to the hospital were, “You saved your mother tonight.” After a brief hospital stay, Selena’s mother went home to recover.
Selena’s SSS TRIO Academic Advisor at the Community College, Linda Evans, said, “It’s typical for students to explore their options at Yavapai College. In this case, her decision to complete our Fitness Trainer/Instructor Certificate was a life or death decision.”
Intending to graduate this semester, Selena is attending classes, working in the Verde Valley Campus weight room, and at Planet Fitness in Cottonwood.