Middle School Staff Saves 13-Year-Old In Sudden Cardiac Arrest
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CARROLLTON (CBSDFW.COM) – Amanda Marquez collapsed during volley practice and went into cardiac arrest Tuesday, August 23. But when it a team of Creek Valley staffers immediately came to the 13-year-old's rescue.
"At the moment, I think, what you do is—you do your job!" said Principal Nicole Jund, PhD, Creek Valley Middle School in Carrollton. "We drill and we train: never in a million years did I think that what happened a couple of weeks ago would happen."
For most North Texas middle school students, a 'broken heart' rarely requires medical attention. But, Amanda Marquez's crisis was real.
"The coaching staff did a brilliant job," recalled Dr. Jund. "We quickly asked a couple of questions and left to get the AED immediately."
The Automatic External Defibrillators or AED's are positioned throughout the school.
"The nice thing about the AED, the device walks you quickly through what you need to do, it helps you to make sure that you're taking necessary steps to keep that person safe. It keeps you on track," said Dr. Jund.
On Wednesday, the City of Carrollton Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Chief Steve Heath will present a Life Saving Award to Creek Valley Middle School to recognize their "incredible efforts."
The coaches and school administrators will be honored, including Ashley Nichols, Shelby Dawson, Becca Chagnon, and Beri Deister.
In the moment, Dr. Jund says there was no time to panic and the training made sure they were prepared.
"I relaxed when I could hear her…and when I knew she was okay," said Dr. Jund.
Marquez remained at Children's Medical Center of Dallas for three days where she made a successful recovery. She now has a pacemaker; but, has rejoined her team.
"I'm relaxed because she's here at school and she's happy and she's rejoined our community," said Dr. Jund. And she also has a message for the community's parents: "keep sending them our way, because we will keep taking care of them."
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