Teen recovering after going into cardiac arrest during track meet, Huntley officials say

HUNTLEY, Ill. (WLS) -- A 16-year-old went into cardiac arrest at a high school track meet Monday, the Huntley Fire Protection District said.

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Paramedics were dispatched to Huntley High School after a 911 caller said someone went into cardiac arrest at about 7:20 p.m.

Principal Marcus Belin said the incident happened during the freshman/sophomore boys FVC track meet.

The 16-year-old boy was tended to by an off-duty paramedic and school staff, fire officials said.

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The teen is from Prairie Ridge High School.

An Automated External Defibrillator, also known as an AED, was used while paramedics responded.

It's used to try to restore a heartbeat. In this case, the boy was unresponsive and not breathing, and they could not initially find a pulse.

The boy was rushed to Northwestern Huntley Hospital. Officials said he was stable.

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Principal Belin praised Huntley High athletic trainers for their response: "Last night, they did what they were trained to do, but more importantly, they showed what it means to stay calm, focused, and composed in a life-changing moment. Their immediate actions, professionalism, teamwork, and ability to respond under pressure helped save a young man's life tonight."

The off-duty firefighters who helped were dads cheering on their own sons.

When they saw the teen collapse at the finish line, they jumped into action.

Lt. Scott Hayden and firefighter Andy Milewski were back on the job in Palatine Tuesday.

"I didn't think much of it until I saw the AED. Once the AED came out, I came out of the stands to help out where I could," Milewski said.

Milewski performed chest compressions, along with the AED.

"The AED delivered one shock. Then, I went back to CPR until he gasped for breath, and I was able to find a pulse," Milewski said.

Both firefighters credited the athletic trainer at Huntley High School, who jumped into action immediately and had access to the AED.

"Quick early access to AED equipment and CPR, that's what saves," Hayden said.