A critical moment led to one high school basketball player in Oklahoma 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, Oklahoma, when Vitales collapsed about three minutes into the match. Dover coaches determined Vitales had no pulse, according to King Fisher Press.
Miller reportedly had 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 January 9. (Fox News)
Once Vitales’ heart rate was restored, CPR was administered until medical personnel reached the gymnasium.
The Guthrie Fire Department credited Miller for his actions, telling KOCO-5 that the student-athlete saved his opponent’s life “without a doubt.”
Miller said there was no hesitation when he became aware of the situation.
“I didn’t think about it for a second,” the 18-year-old told the news station. “I just jumped in and took control.”
And basketball not November. 14, 2017. (Lance King/Getty Images)
Miller admitted it was somewhat unsettling to be described as a lifesaver.
“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.”
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Dover Public Schools previously confirmed that Vitales was moving to a Oklahoma City Hospital and ultimately placed in the intensive care unit (ICU). Once Vitales was admitted, doctors said an abnormal heartbeat caused the cardiac arrest.
“Randy is undergoing several tests and will be transferred to the intensive care unit,” according to a statement released on January 9. “Doctors said the quick response of our coaches and the training they received likely saved his life. Counselors and some area pastors were at the school when our teams returned to talk and pray with our students.”
The Oklahoman reported that as of Jan. 11, Vitales was breathing without the aid of a ventilator.
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