(New Carlisle, IN) - In January of 2017, New Prairie High School student Mark Mayfield collapsed in a school hallway and died from an undetected heart condition. Since then, the school community has rallied to make sure that a similar tragedy doesn’t happen again.
Fast forward to March 25th of this year. A parent of a New Prairie middle schooler was found unresponsive in the school parking lot. Staff sprang into action and, using a portable AED, stabilized him until paramedics arrived seven minutes later.
At a school board meeting last Monday, twelve New Prairie staffers were recognized for their heroics. One of them retrieved the all-important AED. At least two others performed CPR, while a handful of staffers secured the scene and directed first responders.
Middle school teacher Jenn Smith, who called 911, recounted her involvement. “When I looked outside, I could see that the nurse was out there and that there was someone laying on the ground,” she said. “Our school nurse was already checking for a pulse and doing her assessment.” Smith said she used the nurse’s phone to call 911.
Smith is the advisor for the middle school Future Health Professionals (HOSA) program. “I’m really proud of the staff and the school for executing our plan and being prepared, knowing exactly what to do, and being able to save someone.”
High school biomedical teacher Tonya Aerts has spearheaded the training at New Prairie. Needless to say, she’s pretty proud of the recent result. “It was an amazing thing,” she said, “but it really shows how important practicing drills and awareness really does pay off.”
Aerts says if as much effort was put into lifesaving drills as there is with other precautions, such as storm and fire drills, more health emergencies would have happier outcomes.
“There’s nothing for cardiac emergencies, yet every single one of us has a heart that can stop at any time,” she noted. “Are we prepared? I get that people think they’re prepared, but when it actually comes to that moment, are you prepared? And that middle school group was [prepared], and they did it seamlessly.”
Aerts emphasized that the New Prairie staff members who responded had never practiced for an emergency together, but they each knew how to play a role in the process. Those who leaped to action ranged from custodians to teachers to administrators.
Julie West, founder of the Play for Jake Foundation, was on hand for the ceremony at New Prairie. She works closely with Aerts to promote AEDs and training. “It’s just a matter of time until all schools get on board,” she said. “Our children and staff and everyone should come home safe from school. When we’re prepared, lives can be saved.”
Nick Hogan traveled to New Prairie Monday night from Indianapolis. He represents Project Adam, which certifies schools as “Heart Safe” environments. “I had to come and celebrate because this is amazing work that’s happened up here,” he said. “It’s jaw-dropping to see the work come all the way around and show that being prepared can actually save lives. They actually saved a life, and you have to celebrate that.”
In 2021 New Prairie became the first Heart Safe School in the state. There are now over 40 schools with special AED training. New Prairie is now the first of them to actually save a life.
