School athletic trainer honored for saving student's life

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The North Las Vegas Fire Department recognized a high school athletic trainer for saving a 17-year-old girl's life after the student collapsed in October.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports Chely Arias began CPR on the Cheyenne High School senior after the teen had stopped breathing and was unresponsive during a flag football practice.

A student retrieved a portable defibrillator from the gym, and Arias used the device to try to revive the teen. The student's pulse returned after three attempts.

Fire Chief Joseph Calhoun honored Arias with a plaque during a ceremony Wednesday.

Calhoun says the actions by Arias demonstrate the need for more people to learn CPR and how to operate defibrillators.