A critical moment caused an Oklahoma high school basketball player to put the competition aside. When Randy Vitales, 16, went into cardiac arrest in the opening minutes of a basketball game on Jan. 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, Okla., 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 reportedly had undergone lifeguard training and used an automated external defibrillator to help Vitales. The high school student also took the lead in performing CPR.
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A sophomore at Dover High School in Dover, Oklahoma, went into cardiac arrest during a basketball game on Jan. 9. (Pakinomist)
Once Vitales’ heartbeat was restored, CPR was administered until medical personnel reached the gymnasium.
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The Guthrie Fire Department credited Miller for his actions, telling KOCO-5 that the student-athlete “without a shadow of a doubt” saved his opponent’s life.
Miller said there was no hesitation when he became aware of the situation.
“I didn’t have any thoughts about it,” the 18-year-old told the news outlet. “I just jumped in and took control.”
A basketball net November 14, 2017. (Lance King/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 eventually placed in the intensive care unit (ICU). When Vitales was admitted, doctors said an abnormal heartbeat caused the cardiac arrest.
“Randy is undergoing numerous tests and will be moved to the intensive care unit,” a statement released Jan. 9 said. “The doctors said the quick response of our coaches and the training they received is probably what saved his life. Counselors and some area pastors were at the school when our team returned to talk and pray with our students.”
The Oklahoman reported that Vitales was breathing without the help of a ventilator on Jan. 11.
