Portable defibrillator saves local boy's life

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Julie Collins

Story Created: Aug 9, 2010 at 5:44 PM CDT

Story Updated: Aug 9, 2010 at 11:04 PM CDT

 

CALLOWAY COUNTY, KY - It can happen at any time during any game, something can go wrong with dire consequences. That's why more and more schools are buying Automatic External Defibrillators, a simple device that can save a life by zapping the heart back into its normal rhythm.

On August 6, a 7th grade footbal team was playing a practice game at the Calloway County High School field. During one of the plays, 13-year-old Trey Parks went down after what seemed like a typical hit during a football game.

But what happened next was anything but typical.  Trey went into cardiac arrest and athletic trainer Jen Salmon began CPR. The athletic director Josh McKeel ran to his office for the AED.

The AED was donated just two days before the football game by McKeel's parents Al and Jan McKeel. It was donated in honor of Josh's late grandparents Hardiman and Alice Miller.

"When my parents gave it to the school, we talked about the fact that we'll never use it," McKeel said. "We'd hoped we never use it and to use it 48 hours later on my granddad's birthday, that's not a coincidence."

Trey was resuscitated and sent to Vanderbilt, where he underwent tests. He is now out of the hospital and staying with an aunt in Nasheville. He will be back home tomorrow.  His condition is greatly improved, and is said to likely get back on the field and play football again.