On Saturday, you have a chance to learn a skill that could save someone's life.

The Heart of Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross will hold "Save a Life Saturday," with free CPR training this weekend at five locations including Shelbyville Recreation Center. The training will be from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday at each location.

The training is free, but you must pre-register by Thursday, by calling (615) 893-4272 ext. 102 or going to www.midtnredcross.org . No walk-ins will be accepted.

The chapter serves Bedford, Rutherford and Cannon counties.

Other locations that will be hosting the event include the Middle Tennessee State University Recreation Center, Murfreesboro Athletic Club, StoneCrest Hospital in Smyrna and the Woodbury Lions Club building.

Trained instructors will be on site at each location and all participants will be required to stay the entire length of the course to be certified in Adult CPR.

Brain death and permanent death start to occur in just four to six minutes after someone experiences cardiac arrest, according to Red Cross and American Heart Association literature. A victim's chances of survival are reduced by 7 to 10 percent with every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation. CPR can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim's chances of survival. Few attempts at resuscitation succeed after 10 minutes.

If someone becomes unconscious, call 9-1-1 immediately. They may be suffering from sudden cardiac arrest.

"Save a Life Saturday is an excellent opportunity for anyone to come and get trained in Adult CPR to be able to feel confident and empowered should an emergency arise that would require this vital skill," said Health & Safety Director Laura Sanchez-Slate.

The Heart of Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross provides vital emergency assistance to help victims of local disasters in Rutherford, Bedford and Cannon counties. Over the past year the chapter trained nearly 8,237 people in CPR and First Aid and transmitted 191 emergency messages for military families.

Over 16,000 pints of life-saving blood were collected from the community last year. All of these services are made possible by over 130 dedicated local Red Cross volunteers as well as through generous gifts from the local community.

To get more information or to make a financial contribution to the local chapter call (615) 893-4272 or go to www.midtnredcross.org to donate online.