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School officials rush to save New Kent student’s life

Posted at 6:14 PM, Dec 04, 2013
and last updated 2013-12-04 19:29:46-05

NEW KENT, Va. (WTVR)--A New Kent High School student is recovering after collapsing on board a bus Tuesday afternoon.

Sources said a school resource officers used a defibrillator to help save her life.

It wouldn’t be the first time that school employees rushed to the rescue of a student.

On Nov. 22, at the Governor’s School in Petersburg, a teenager suffered heart failure. Staff members, just two weeks prior, had received training on CPR and use of a defibrillator.

“What we know now, is that nobody had to say ‘What do you need to do to help her?’” Tina Fritz said.

CPR partners lined up, so that when paramedics arrived, they found teachers working to stabilize the student.

“It was a sense of urgency [not panic] that this student is in need and we needed to take care of our student,” said another teacher.

That same type of training helped on Tuesday when a sophomore passed out while stepping onto a bus at New Kent County high school. Police and staff members rushed to help.

The General Assembly this year passed legislation that requires all schools with a staff of ten or more to have at least three employees certified in CPR and trained to use a defibrillator.

Representatives with the Red Cross said that such training could give individuals the confidence to be proactive in a situation, even if it is just calling 911.

If you are interested in taking the American Red Cross CPR and Defibrillator class, call 1-800-733-2767