Most high school sophomores probably can’t say that they have saved someone’s life. In fact, many may not even know what to do if another person in the same room passes out. However, sophomore Joseph Tran knew exactly what to do when an elderly man at his church collapsed to the ground at the church function recently.

“I was near the man, so I decided to help him,” Tran said.”I did a set of 30 chest compressions and then the man threw up and got up. The paramedics came and did the rest.”

This was his first hands-on experience after learning it from teacher Dena Akdins in health class and after he saw that the man was in trouble, he didn’t hesitate to spring into action.

“I made sure not to tense up or panic,” Tran said.”The only pressure I felt was the pressure of doing the chest compressions correctly. I felt very good and accomplished that I made a contribution to society.”

According to Tran, his actions were based on human instinct and he doesn’t feel like he deserves any special attention over what he did.

“I don’t consider myself a hero because the real heroes are the paramedics and doctors,” Tran said.”They’re the ones who made sure he was in a stable condition.”