[Flash8]hitTest and variable help

Okay, so I’m developing my first solo game.

I’ve got code so that you have 10 lives.

but while the enemy is touching you you lose them equal to the framerate.

onClipEvent(enterFrame){

if (_root.player.hitTest(this)){
_root.lives --;
}
}

how do I make it so you can only lose one life per hit?

Also, I’ve been trying to code temporary invulnerability when the player is hurt, so they have time to recover. I have no idea how to implement this haha. Can anyone shine some light in this direction on that? I’d REALLY appreciate any help I can get, as I’m very new to all this coding business.

Here’s a demo of the game if you’d like to play it to get a feel for what I’m talking about.

http://spamtheweb.com/ul/upload/250309/47818_preloaderewd.php