Austin, Texas Resident Honored with VITA™ Wireless Samaritan Award

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Jul 24, 2012, 11:55 ET

WASHINGTON, July 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Allison Motto of Austin, Texas was honored by The Wireless Foundation and CTIA-The Wireless Association® with a VITA™ Wireless Samaritan Award at the 18^th Annual Achievement Awards dinner July 23. While watching TV, Motto's husband suffered cardiac arrest. She dialed 911 on her cellphone and administered chest compressions while waiting for emergency personnel to arrive.

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After a typical day, Motto's husband was watching TV with his wife on their couch when his posture suddenly became rigid and he began to breathe heavily. Thirty seconds later, she realized her husband had fainted and stopped breathing. She used her cellphone to call 911. The dispatcher instructed and helped her to time 100 chest compressions to keep blood pumping through her husband's body before emergency personnel arrived and were able to shock his heart into a normal rhythm. Motto's quick action helped prevent Brian from suffering brain damage or death caused by cardiac arrest.

"Brian was fortunate to have Allison at his side with her cellphone so she could follow the dispatcher's instructions and help save his life. I think Brian would agree that Allison is a worthy recipient of the VITA Wireless Samaritan Award," said Steve Largent, President of The Wireless Foundation and President and CEO of CTIA-The Wireless Association.

The Wireless Foundation and CTIA-The Wireless Association selected Motto and eight other VITA Wireless Samaritan Award recipients from across the nation for their use of wireless technology to save lives, stop crime and help in other emergency situations. VITA Wireless Samaritan Awards are presented annually to recipients who put safety first and use wireless to help others in need. With more than 400,000 wireless phone calls made to 911 every day, the awards also reinforce the crucial role wireless technology plays in emergencies.

CTIA-The Wireless Foundation (www.wirelessfoundation.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to developing and supporting initiatives that use wireless technology to help American communities. The Foundation's innovative programs benefit consumers in areas such as education, healthcare, safety and the environment. As part of its Annual Achievement Awards, the Foundation recognizes VITA™ Wireless Samaritans and honors the best of our nation's leadership, its youth and its scholars. The Foundation was formed by CTIA-The Wireless Association® member companies in 1991.

SOURCE CTIA-The Wireless Foundation