RIYADH: The King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center (KFSH&RC) held a free training on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at the Panorama Mall on Saturday.

The CPR training, held under the patronage of Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar, was attended by 50 clinical and non-clinical volunteers.

Male and female volunteers who included Saudis were trained separately. The female volunteers were trained inside a tent. Panorama Mall’s security staff also joined the training.

Dr. Qassim Al Qasabi, KFSH&RC chief executive officer, said: “This event is conducted with a view to having one member in every Saudi family capable of giving CPR if and when the need arises.”

He added that the goal was to train 1,000 residents in the Saudi capital in 10 hours.

“We hope that this free training will go a long way in helping people in need of CPR and reducing the number of deaths in the Kingdom due to heart attacks,” he said.

Dr. Othman Solaiman, Life Support Training Center (LSTC) director, said: “In holding this free training, KFSH & RC wants the community in the Saudi capital to know that it cares about them and that it emphasizes the priceless value human life.”

He expressed the hope that similar training will again be held in the near future as the hospital’s contribution and involvement in the community.

Louis Velasquez, senior clinical instructor at LSTC, added that “it is a joy for us to conduct this free CPR training, knowing as we do that it will make a big difference in the lives of citizens in the Saudi capital.”

Dr. Othman Soliman, LSTC director, thanked the hospital staff for making the necessary preparations for the training. They included Raymundo Garcia, Ali Steitieh, Rami Abu Sheikhah, Bindu Vattakkunnel, Shanti Ramaiah, Jillian Hatcher, Cindy Samoza and Pauline Garcia.

The training was held with the full support of Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rajhi, executive director of Academic and Training Affairs, and LSTC Director Dr. Othman Soliman.