Resident advisers at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa housing complex are participating in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, training through donations and volunteers secured though the Parents and Friends of UH-Manoa, the first nationally recognized PTA associated with a university.

"This will be the first time (in a long time) these 'guardians' of our students are getting this training," said Shirley Fujimoto, a PTA member.

Grace Pacific Corp., a local construction firm, donated $1,020 to cover the cost of training materials. And certified CPR trainer Millard Matsuoka, owner of Affirmed Medical Services, has volunteered to teach housing staff basic medical first aid.

After learning that CPR training is not regularly provided to the advisers who oversee dorm residents, Dr. Theresa Wee, president of the PTA, said the group began to work to change that. Housing staff have not received regular CPR and first-aid training in about eight years, said Karen Blakeley of the student housing office.

"This is just another way we thought we could make the dorms safer," Wee said. She said dorm advisers will be trained to assist students should medical emergencies arise.

Three classes were planned to train about 60 hall staff in the Manoa housing complex. One class remains and will be held on Saturday.

Reach Loren Moreno at lmoreno@honoluluadvertiser.com.