Coral Springs Man’s CPR Skills Save Friend, Inspire Rotary Club to Offer Lifesaving Training

by David Volz July 29, 2025

by David Volz July 29, 2025 2 minutes read

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Tom Pratt (third from left) is pictured with Sal Golfo, Marty Jenner, and Rick Patronik. {courtesy}

Tom and Janine Pratt were bicycling in a mountainous area in Park City, Utah, with their friends, David and Elizabeth Rockowitz, when David suddenly suffered a heart attack.

Tom started CPR while Janine called 911. Elizabeth helped with the compressions to keep David alive. Within about 20 minutes, paramedics arrived, stabilized him, and transported him to a hospital in Salt Lake City.

David recovered after some time in the hospital, and Tom realized that if he had not known CPR, his friend would have died.

Tom is a member of the Rotary Club of Coral Springs, and he shared his experience during a Rotary meeting. Club members thought it would be a good idea to sponsor CPR training for the Coral Springs community.

“If people know CPR, they could save a life one day, and it could be their best friend or a loved one. I have known David for 30 years, and I am glad he survived,” said Tom.

One reason CPR is important is that many people don’t know what to do if a friend begins to suffer a heart attack. It is essential to recognize that fatigue may occur during compressions, and having another person assist is beneficial. Additionally, individuals may experience emotional stress while administering CPR.

The Club is also offering a class on Wednesday, September 10, at noon at Veterans Hall at 2503 Coral Springs Drive in Coral Springs. The class is already full, and the Club is likely to offer another free CPR session, according to Sal Golfo, membership chair and a board member.

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Author Profile

David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.