Gaines Township, Mich. — Nearly six months after a 16-year-old collapsed during a tennis match at South Christian High School, the school is taking significant steps to enhance its safety protocols with updated Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). The move, which had already been in progress before the October incident, is aimed at ensuring quicker response times and improving emergency preparedness for future athletic events.
The incident occurred on October 18, during a MHSAA Division 1 State Tennis Finals meet, when the teenager suddenly fell unconscious on the tennis courts. As the situation unfolded, an off-duty paramedic and a doctor, both attending the event, immediately began performing CPR and rescue breaths until deputies from the Kent County Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene. Deputies Eric Winsor and Jeff Whelan quickly assessed the situation, with Whelan continuing CPR while Winsor utilized an AED to deliver a life-saving shock. Within moments, the teen regained a pulse and began breathing again.
This swift response was credited with saving the teen’s life, prompting a wave of gratitude from the school community. In December, the school held a ceremony to thank the deputies and the medical personnel involved in the rescue.
The updated AEDs being installed at South Christian High School are part of a broader initiative to improve safety measures. AED vendor Ty VanderWall, representing Cardiac Solutions, emphasized that the new equipment would include heated outdoor cabinets and rigid travel cases, making AEDs more accessible during outdoor sports events, particularly those held off-campus.
“The addition of these features will provide extra AED coverage for sporting areas and events off-campus, specifically designed for situations like what occurred in October,” VanderWall explained during an event held at the school this week.
South Christian High School’s decision to upgrade its AED coverage comes as part of a broader commitment to ensuring that lifesaving equipment is always available when needed. VanderWall added, “At Cardiac Solutions, our motto is about saving lives, and we had a life saved right here at this very spot over the past year, which is amazing. It’s great to be improving the AED coverage, response, and of course, the programs behind keeping them up-to-date and always ready for when they’re needed.”
The improvements to the AED system are designed to enhance the school’s ability to respond effectively to medical emergencies, particularly during high-stress situations like sporting events. With these updates, South Christian High School is setting an example for other schools in the area by prioritizing the safety and well-being of its students and athletes.
