A routine evening at the Huntley High School track turned into a medical emergency Monday when a 16-year-old boy went into cardiac arrest and collapsed. Still, quick work by school staff and an off-duty paramedic helped stabilize him. The teen was listed in stable condition after being rushed to Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital, and community members said they were relieved that the rapid response appeared to make a critical difference.
Witnesses called 911 at about 7:20 p.m., and responders used an automated external defibrillator (AED) before the teen was taken to the hospital, officials said. According to ABC7 Chicago, an off-duty paramedic and school staff member tended to the 16-year-old on the track, using an AED while emergency crews were on the way. ABC7 reported he was transported to Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital and was listed in stable condition. The station said no other information was available. The Huntley Fire Protection District, which serves the village and surrounding areas, underscores hands-on CPR and AED training on its community page (Huntley Fire Protection District).
How AEDs And Quick Care Change Outcomes
Early defibrillation and bystander CPR can dramatically improve survival after sudden cardiac arrest, particularly in school and sports settings, according to the American Heart Association. The CDC recommends expanding public-access defibrillation because AED use before EMS arrival substantially raises the odds of survival. A prospective study of high-school AED programs published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found markedly higher survival rates when an AED was available and used on campus.
Local Resources And Next Steps
The Huntley Fire Protection District runs regular American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR/AED classes for residents and encourages schools and sports programs to keep devices accessible and staff trained, according to its site (Huntley Fire Protection District). Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital, where the teen was taken, lists cardiac care, a cardiac catheterization lab and 24/7 pediatric hospitalist support on its location page (Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital). School officials have not released further details about what triggered the collapse; as ABC7 Chicago reported, no additional information was available as of Tuesday morning.
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