Quick thinking and training averted tragedy during a near drowning Sunday afternoon.

Rescuers responded to the Royal Wood on the Green apartments near 125th St and W. Center Rd at about 4 p.m. Sunday.

Witnesses said a woman in her 40s dove into the pool and a few minutes later was floating on the surface not breathing.

A group of three young men sprang into action to help. "I saw my friends, John and Joe, pull a lady out of the pool," said Ryan Mech, who performed CPR on the victim. "She was unconscious. After having a CPR class Tuesday, something I thought I'd never have to use in my life, I proceeded to give her CPR."

Mech said he took the CPR class for his job. Paramedics took the woman to an area hospital in critical condition.