Life saver: Ron Costa and Tony Santosporito at the Ambulance Victoria award presentation.
GIVING his cousin the kiss of life after he went into cardiac arrest during a canasta game has earned Corio’s Tony Santosporito a hero’s award.
Ambulance Victoria bestowed the award on Mr Santosporito this week for saving the life of Ronald Costa last year with “quick actions”.
Mr Santosporito was surprised his CPR lessons from the 1970s came back so vividly when Mr Costa collapsed at his Newtown home during their regular game of canasta.
“It’s amazing what you remember. I established he had no pulse and instinct just kicked in,” he said.
“I rang 000 and the woman on the phone just kept telling me to keep going, so I did. It’s pretty hard yakka.”
Mr Santosporito said his experience highlighted the importance of learning first-aid skills.
“If you take anything away at all (from first-aid training), make sure it’s CPR because Ron is still here today, tough as nails.”
