Redmond Junior High Staff Saves Student's Life - Heroic effort by staff!

Principal Prato Barone began chest compressions on Levi and Teacher Chris Broderick followed about 10-20 seconds later and began respirations.

Junior High Staff Saves Student’s Life

On Thursday, November 6, seventh grade student Levi Pocza began Chris Broderick’s gym class as usual. After running one length of the gym in warm-up, he went to get a drink of water. On his way to the water fountain, he collapsed. While gym teacher Mike Thomas, teaching a class in the other half of the gym, tended to Levi, teacher Chris Broderick sprinted to the school office asking for a call to 911 because “a student was out cold.” Principal Prato Barone immediately headed to the gym while Broderick relayed the information to Office Manager Carol Underwood, who called 911. When he got to the gym, Barone began CPR chest compressions since Thomas had been unable to find a pulse. Broderick followed about 10 to 20 seconds later and began the respirations. Scott Hagerman, instructional assistant, brought in and set up the school’s AED (automated external defibrillator). Treatment using CPR and the AED continued until Redmond fire and rescue units arrived along with Redmond police. Vice Principal Sean Cassidy met the units at the front of the school and took them to Levi’s location. Underwood kept the 911 operator in touch with the crew in the gym via school walkie talkies throughout the situation.

Levi was taken by paramedics to Evergreen Hospital, which airlifted him to Children’s Hospital. His recovery has been remarkable: by Saturday, Levi was responsive. On Sunday, he was alert, eating and talking. Levi remains in Children’s where they are trying to determine the cause of his cardiac arrest.

--LWSD Press Release, 11/12

Contact: Kathryn Reith, 425-702-3342

click on the links for knowledge on setting up CPR and AED.

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American Heart Association for kids