Dr. Joseph O’Donnell of Integrity Healthcare Professionals poses with Integrity Lifesaver Blake Smith at South Central Kansas Medical Center in Ark City. (Photo courtesy SCKMC)
An assistant athletic trainer for Cowley College was recognized for his heroic actions that saved the life of a student athlete last month, according to a news release from South Central Kansas Medical Center Tuesday.
Integrity Healthcare Professionals awarded Blake Smith of Arkansas City the title of Lifesaver of the Month.
Smith, a native of Dexter who attended both Cowley College and Southwestern College in Winfield, was in attendance of a practice when one of the athletes suddenly collapsed on the gymnasium floor.
Smith, who was positioned in the seating area courtside, approached the athlete and quickly realized that it was not an ordinary case of fatigue.
Smith proceeded to check the vital signs of the student, finding no pulse. Knowing that the following moments would be critical, Smith directed a member of the coaching staff to notify emergency services.
After performing CPR on the student, it became apparent the athlete required an AED, or an automated external defibrillator. Following the shock and a second round of compression, a pulse returned.
Moments later EMS arrived on campus and the student was assisted into an ambulance.
The student arrived at SCKMC’s emergency department and was eventually diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, a heart condition that has been known to occur in young athletes.
“When you get your certification for athletic training, you learn how to do things like perform CPR, and use an AED,’ Smith said. “They’re things that you hope you never have to use, but we have to be ready in case something like this happens.
“The whole thing lasted maybe a few minutes, but it felt like hours. I don’t really remember what was going through my mind. It was like I was on autopilot, almost watching myself go through the steps.”
Dr. Joseph O’Donnell of Integrity Healthcare said Smith was prepared and made quick, key decisions.
“Blake’s actions are the result of honing instinct into life-saving action through the rigors of superior professional training and education,” O’Donnell said. “It is a sincere honor to recognize him as an Integrity Lifesaver.”
