An Ohio high school soccer player in cardiac arrest is eternally grateful to his coach. Reported on Monday that 15-year-old Canen Dickman, a freshman at Worthington Kilbourne High School, had passed out during soccer practice on July 7. Dickman had a medical emergency while sprinting on the high school track.
“When you don’t have a pulse and we have no breathing that’s observable, that is the worst-case scenario,” Jon Sprunger, head soccer coach at WKHS told the news station.
Sprunger claimed he began CPR within seconds.
“Just do what you’ve been trained and hope and pray that you’re doing exactly what needs to be done to save his life,” he told WSYX-TV.
To save Dickman’s life, Sprunger used an automated external defibrillator (AED) that was stolen from the school by another coach.
“They have said to us over and over that if it weren’t for the quick efforts of the coaches and also for them using the AED, he wouldn’t be here right now,” Dickman said.
After being hauled in, Dickman was sent to the intensive care unit at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Dickman remarked, “My first thought was whether or not I would be able to play soccer for this season.”
After more than a week in the hospital, he could go home on Sunday, according to WSYX-TV.
“It’s pretty scary,” Dickman said, “but I’m just really thankful that things happened how they did, and I’m still here.”
His heart arrest’s reason remains a mystery as doctors investigate. In around six weeks, he will undergo more testing.
“What we were told in the hospital is he’s not only lucky to be alive, but his chances of having full recovery in his brain were very low,” his mom said, “and according to the MRI, he has 100 percent brain function.”
His heart, though, requires a break.
“I had some inflammation around my heart,” he said, “and I still do, so I’m going to go back around six weeks and see if the inflammation’s down.”
He also had to put his athletic pursuits on hold.
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“We hope that in the future he will no longer be on the sideline with us, but he will be on the field playing with us,” said Sprunger. “That’s the hope.”
For the time being, Dickman is required to wear a life vest. It’s a combination of a heart monitor and an automated external defibrillator, and it may shock him and signal for aid if it detects a problem.
Dickman and his loved ones are advocating for CPR training and making sure everyone knows where the nearest automated external defibrillator (AED) is located. WKHS is getting another AED for the track area. As for Dickman, he’s just happy to be alive.
“It could happen at any time. so just savor every moment and be grateful for everything you have,” said Dickman.
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