GAHANNA, Ohio — Football fans are getting ready to watch the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills play again this Sunday. It’s the first time since Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field in cardiac arrest earlier this month.
The event was difficult to watch but it launched a nationwide discussion about the importance of AEDs and knowing CPR.
Days after this event grabbed national headlines, a similar story played out right here in central Ohio.
Dr. Ritu Bakhru’s daughter is in 7th grade. She plays for the Columbus Academy girls’ basketball team. Dr. Bakhru said last Thursday’s game went like any other, except this game was against a rival, so there was a lot on the line.
She said the game was tied when the buzzer went off. They were preparing for overtime when she said all of a sudden, time froze.
Seconds mattered, but not on the clock.
“This gentleman blew the whistle and then he just collapsed and hit the ground,” she said.
Dr. Bakhru ran down from the stands to the man – it was one of the game officials.
“Our goal was to help save him,” she said.
Others were right there with her – together in the fight to save a life.
“Once we assessed that he was not breathing and he did not have a pulse we did start compressions,” said Ralan Cleveland, Safety and Security Coordinator at Columbus Academy.
Cleveland gave compressions with Dr. Bakhru, as a trainer grabbed the AED outside the gym door.
“It felt like 15 minutes from the time I was able to get the pads out to actually administering shock,” said Jake Devlin, Head Athletic Trainer at Columbus Academy.
Jake Devlin switched the pads from the child version to the adult pads, and administered the shock.
“We shocked him with the AED he didn't respond with the AED so we did two more rounds of compressions,” said Devlin.
And that was the moment there was hope.
“When I felt that pulse I was like I feel a pulse I feel a pulse,” exclaimed Dr. Bakhru.
First there was a pulse. And then:
"When I was on my last round of compressions he took a big breath,” said Cleveland. “And nothing can express how happy I was when he took that big gulp of air.”
The official had survived cardiac arrest.
“We all worked together as a team really well to save him,” said Dr. Bakhru.
This team, making the save of a lifetime.
“I was in disbelief I was so happy,” she said.
Those on the sidelines, including her own daughter, walked away with hands shaking, eyes wide, and hearts full.
“Afterwards that night when we got home, the first thing she said to me was 'oh mom you really are a doctor' because at home I'm just 'mom,'" said Dr. Bakhru. “She’s like 'how did you know how to do that' and I said ‘well it wasn't just me I worked together with the security guard and the athletic trainers and we all were able to help him.’”
The game official, who did not wish for his name to be released at this time, says he is thankful for those who saved his life.