Athletic Trainer, AED Save Athlete After Collapse

Caleb Perkins, an athlete at Revere High School in Ohio, collapsed and went into full cardiac arrest during track practice on Friday afternoon. The combined quick thinking by a coach and athletic trainer, and the use of an AED (automated external defibrillator) may have saved his life.

Newsnet 5 Clevelandreports that when Perkins collapsed, a coach told teammates to send for the athletic trainer and AED while the coach performed CPR. The trainer used the AED to shock the boy’s heart before the paramedics arrived.

Lt. George Seifert of the Bath Township Fire Department believes this may have saved Perkins’ life.

“It was a huge, huge factor in this whole outcome,” Seifert said. “Quick CPR is key in sudden cardiac events, and then the application use of the AED only enhances the chances of survival.”

Paramedics shocked the boy’s heart one more time and got a pulse before transporting him to Akron Children’s hospital. He was later taken to the Cleveland Clinic by helicopter.

Police Chief Mike McNeely said that Perkins had regained consciousness.

Revere Local Schools released a statement regarding the incident:

“On Friday, March 18, we had an incident involving a student at Revere Local Schools who was in need of emergency treatment. Our staff did provide emergency services while waiting for the EMS team to arrive. Due to the fact that this involves confidential medical information, we cannot release any additional information at this time.”