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The tragic deaths of two high school football players last week underscore the critical importance of emergency preparedness in sports.
A 16-year-old player in Los Angeles succumbed to a brain injury sustained during a junior varsity game, while an 18-year-old in Florida collapsed and later died after paramedics were unable to fully revive him.
These tragic incidents bring the football-related death toll this season to 12, raising concerns about the medical care and preparedness at sporting events nationwide.
Curiously, despite football’s high injury rate, basketball has been the leading sport for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) deaths in the past.
However, in recent months, AEDs have successfully averted potential tragedies in at least 5 basketball-related cases. Among them is the story of 16-year-old Carter Zahn, who collapsed during an AAU basketball game in Aurora, Illinois.
Carter’s life was saved by the quick response of a parent, Cheri Kolkovich, a physician assistant who applied the gym’s AED.
Carter’s mother, Cathleen, recalled the importance of that AED, which was purchased through a fundraiser six years earlier.
"We’re incredibly thankful for the quick actions and the AED that saved Carter's life."
After being resuscitated, Carter was airlifted to Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, where doctors installed an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to protect him from future incidents. Though no medical cause for his collapse has been identified, the ICD ensures an additional layer of protection.
In the aftermath, the Zahn family has become advocates for AEDs and CPR training at athletic events, hoping to prevent similar tragedies.
"We had no history of heart issues in our family, but having the AED there made all the difference."
The family will be spreading awareness during Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month in October through local events in Aurora.
Their message is simple: preparedness can save lives, as it did for Carter. Check out the whole story here!
