A critical moment prompted an Oklahoma high school basketball player to put aside competition. When 16-year-old Randy Vitales suffered a cardiac arrest in the opening minutes of a basketball game on January 9, Magnus Miller rushed to his aid.
According to Oklahoma City news station KOCO-5, Dover High School was competing against Life Christian Academy in Orlando, Oklahoma, when Vitales collapsed about three minutes into the game. Dover trainers determined Vitales did not have a pulse, according to the King Fisher Press.
Miller allegedly trained as a lifeguard and used an automated external defibrillator to help Vitales. The high school student also took the initiative to perform CPR.
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A sophomore at Dover High School in Dover, Oklahoma, suffered a cardiac arrest during a basketball game on January 9. (PK Press Club)
Once the heartbeat was restored, CPR was administered until medical personnel arrived at the gym.
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The Guthrie Fire Department credited Miller for his actions, telling KOCO-5 the student-athlete “without a shadow of a doubt” saved his opponent’s life.
Miller said there was no hesitation once he became aware of the situation.
“I didn’t think twice about it,” the 18-year-old told the outlet. “I jumped in and took control.”
A basketball net, November 14, 2017. (King Lance/Getty Images)
Miller admitted that being described as a lifesaver was somewhat unsettling.
“It’s weird to hear someone say you saved their life,” Miller said. “But it wasn’t really me. It was God just being there for me and him. Obviously, I didn’t go there to play basketball that day.”
Dover Public Schools previously confirmed that Vitales was transported to an Oklahoma City hospital and ultimately placed in the intensive care unit (ICU). Once Vitales was admitted, doctors said an abnormal heart rhythm caused the cardiac arrest.
“Randy is undergoing several tests and will be transferred to intensive care,” said a statement released on January 9. “Doctors said the quick response from our coaches and the training they received is likely what saved his life. Counselors and some area pastors were at the school when our teams returned to speak and pray with our students.”
The Oklahoman reported that Vitales was breathing without the aid of a ventilator on Jan. 11.
