Clayton (Mo.) High School athletic trainer Amra Kardasevic is being lauded for her actions in saving the life of a student-athlete last month.
About an hour into a soccer practice, 18-year-old Brandon Wooten started complaining of discomfort and had difficulty catching his breath. "Yeah, there was a moment I could hardly breathe and then I could hardly see," Wooten said, as reported by St. Louis NBC affiliate KSDK.
As part of the Mercy Sports Medicine Athletic Trainer program, Kardasevic completed in-service training before the start of the fall season. When Wooten began experiencing distress, her instincts kicked in and her expertise was put to the ultimate test.
"I went to grab my supplemental oxygen tank," Kardasevic said, "and by the time I got back over there, he told me his chest was starting to hurt."
While trying to stabilize Wooten, she quickly dialed 911. Lieutenant Tim Stolte of the Clayton Fire Department emphasized the significance of Kardasevic's reaction.
"Crucial. Yeah, crucial," Stolte said. "Without that early recognition, it could have been a much different call that day."
When EMS arrived, Wooten was rushed to St. Louis Children's Hospital. Clayton athletic director Steve Hutson arrived at the hospital to hear the doctors commend Kardasevic's swift and life-saving actions. One of the cardiologists called it the luckiest day of Wooten's life.
"I was driving her back here to school, and by the time we got to my vehicle in the parking garage, I could finally get it out without becoming emotional.
"Amra, you saved his life," said Hutson.
While Wooten is still recovering from heart surgery, he expressed a newfound appreciation for life and the crucial role of athletic trainers.
"I feel like athletic trainers are definitely important for situations like this, you never know what can happen on the field at any time," Wooten said. "You never know, they can save someone's life."
"Hopefully, it never happens again," Kardasevic said. "But it does make me feel good to be able to impact him and be able to help him,.
"I felt more grateful than anything."
