DELRAY BEACH, FL – A defibrillator is credited with helping save the life of an American Heritage School softball player.
Sophomore Claire Dunlap, a star player at center-field, collapsed after her game against Boca West High School Wednesday. The team was in their post-game huddle when Dunlap stopped breathing.
An off-duty paramedic with PBC Fire-Rescue was nearby. Ricky Grau, a captain with PBC Fire-Rescue, used a portable defibrillator on Dunlap. The device was at a neaby baseball game.
Robert Stone is the Headmaster of the American Heritage School. He says, "I think they were trying regular CPR and she was not responding. She was at great risk and if they had not had that (defibrillator) she might not have made it."
The Headmaster says Dunlap appeared fine throughout the day, "No prior warning at all in fact she had a perfect day at school. I was with her for part of the time working on a project."
For Cheryl Lalloo, Dunlap's situation is exactly why definrillators need to be at all schools.
She says, "I always say, 'if we save one child it would be worth it, and for another parent not to have to go through what we do every day.'"
Her daughter, Jessica Clinton, had an undetected heart condition. She died following a cheerleading practice in 2003. Cheryl was instrumental in getting a state law passed requiring defibrillators in high schools with athletic programs.
She says upon hearing what happened to Dunlap, "Goosebumps. It's just such a wonderful feeling knowing that this child has a chance now."
Palm Beach County has defibrillators in all of their schools. High schools have at least 5 to 8. They consist of portal and stationary devices. Hosting schools are responsible for making sure the defibrillator is accessible. Coaches are trained how to use them. Elementary and middle schools also have the devices.
American Heritage has invested in defibrillators and training for all their staff.
Robert Stone says, "I often think all this money and all this equipment and we've never even come close to using it and it probably save her life last night."
A softball player who thanks to a small device will have another shot at her field of dreams.
The softball team’s last game of the season, scheduled for Thursday, April 16th, was cancelled because of the circumstances.
The headmaster says initially it appeared Claire Dunlap suffered a heart attack. It now looks like it was a seizure with no origin. She is sedated and in intensive care at Boca West Medical Center.
http://www.jessicaclinton.org
