All who read Tuesday's front-page article "Callery Lifesaver" should ask themselves, "What would I do if I encountered a person having a heart attack?"

The logical next questions are:

n "Would I panic and feel helpless?"

n "Would I know what to do to give the stricken person a chance for survival?"

Those who wouldn't know what to do need to be reminded that there is training available through CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) courses given in the area.

It was the CPR training Jeff Lollo of Callery received eight years ago that was the difference in saving the life of his uncle, Howard James, who was stricken while using his snowblower to clear his driveway.

Lollo, a Callery Borough employee, and fellow employee Chris Huffman noticed James leaning on his snowblower as they were clearing snow from Main Street in front of James' home.

They stopped to chat with James, and during the conversation James took two steps backward and fell.

Lollo, who admitted feeling a sense of panic despite his CPR training, called 911, jumped out of the plow truck and began CPR.

During an interview, Lollo admitted that he was skeptical about his efforts being successful.

"Every time we would stop, he wasn't breathing, and he wouldn't have a pulse," he said.

"It was exhausting and nerve-racking," he added.

Dr. Jon Rittenberger, a post-cardiac arrest services physician at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, said the actions of Lollo and Huffman provided blood and oxygen to James' organs during the heart attack.

"That's (CPR) probably a huge reason why this gentleman is awake, alive and doing so well," Rittenberger said. "And everyone can do that. Everyone can take a CPR class."

While Rittenberger noted that the national survival rate for those who receive manual CPR is just 8 percent, the survival rate drops to zero or near-zero when there is no such help immediately available.

James was lucky. Many other people aren't.

James recalled the emotional scene when Lollo visited him at UPMC Passavant in McCandless Township.

"It was joyful," James said. "(But) to tell you the truth, I couldn't say anything," he said, recalling his speechlessness.

Lollo also was speechless.

"I was just glad to see him alive, because the last time I saw him he was dead."

Most people go through life without ever being faced with a situation like Lollo and Huffman encountered. But even if one never encounters such an emergency, having the ability to respond properly is valuable nonetheless in terms of peace of mind.

When a heart attack occurs, there isn't time to ponder what to do; someone must know how to properly react.

And until medical personnel arrive, CPR is indispensable.

The Butler County Chapter, American Red Cross, conducts CPR training several times each month. People interested in enrolling in a course can obtain information on the chapter's Web site, butlerredcross.org.