Golder Ranch Fire District conducts training at Robson Pickleball Center.
That’s not something any of us ever want to hear, but one morning at the SaddleBrooke pickleball courts, that urgent shout became a wake-up call for Bill Gray, vice president of the SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SPA). Bill realized it had been more than 30 years since he last thought about CPR. If that was true for him, it was probably true for many of his fellow players, too.
So, Bill took action. He reached out to the Golder Ranch Fire Department (GRFD) and asked if they could help get everyone up to speed. The answer was a resounding, “Yes!”
In January, GRFD brought their Skills Lab Training to the Robson Pickleball Center on three Mondays, and more than 60 SPA members rolled up their sleeves (and set down their paddles) to learn CPR, AED (Automated External Defibrillator) use, and first aid.
This wasn’t a boring lecture. The GRFD team created a hands-on, interactive experience where participants rotated through stations, practicing real-life skills with friendly, expert guidance. The goal was simple: build confidence so that if something happens, we don’t freeze—we help.
At the CPR and AED station, players learned how to recognize cardiac arrest, give effective chest compressions, and use an AED. Many of us had seen the AED hanging on the wall but had no idea how easy it is to use. Now we do, and that knowledge can save a life.
At the “Stop the Bleed” station, participants practiced how to control severe bleeding using pressure and tourniquets. These are skills that can make a huge difference during accidents on or off the court.
The GRFD team also shared helpful tips about fall prevention, smoke alarms, and other services they provide in SaddleBrooke. It was reassuring to know just how much support is available to our community.
One participant, D. Westwater, summed it up perfectly: “I’ve seen my share of injuries over the years. I jumped at the chance to take this training. Using the AED for the first time made it much less intimidating. The whole experience was informative and very well done.”
SPA extends a big thank you to Dan Habinek and everyone at Golder Ranch Fire Department for helping us stay safer—whether we’re dinking at the net or relaxing at home. Because, in SaddleBrooke, we don’t just play pickleball—we look out for one another.
Happy and Safe Pickleball!