An Oklahoma high school basketball player was recently reunited with an opponent he helped save after the opposing player collapsed on the court earlier this month. Randall "Randy" Vitales, 16, a student athlete from Dover High School in Dover, Oklahoma, experienced a medical emergency and went into cardiac arrest during a Jan.
Just seeing him healthy was the best thing I could ask for. I'm so glad you were there for me,'" Miller recalled. This created a brotherhood and I wasn't going to let you down on that court that day. Miller, a guard for Life Christian Academy, was playing in a game against Dover High School, when he noticed one of their players, Randy, had fallen down and lost consciousness after making a play.
Miller, a lifeguard who is trained in CPR and first aid, said he didn't hesitate to jump into action when he realized the fellow student might need his help.
That training that you have as a lifeguard for many years just kicks in. It's kind of just an instant reaction," he said of putting his training to use for the first time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cardiac arrest, where the heart stops beating unexpectedly, can come on suddenly.
It is not the same as a heart attack, the agency states. Guthrie Fire Chief Dane Lausen was one of the first responders who rushed to the scene at the time and told "GMA" that Miller's "bravery" and actions led to a good outcome for Randy. No doubt in my mind saved his life that day," Lausen said. Randy has since been discharged from the hospital and is recovering at home, according to OU Health. He was also in attendance at a fundraising game on Jan. Bystander CPR within 10 minutes may improve survival, data suggests.
