A critical moment led a high school basketball player in Oklahoma to step away from competition. When 16-year-old Randy Vitales 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 game. Dover trainers determined Vitales had no pulse, according to the King Fisher Press.
Miller had reportedly been trained as a lifeguard 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' 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 that the student-athlete “without a doubt” saved his opponent's life.
Miller said he didn't hesitate once he realized the situation.
“I didn't think twice,” the 18-year-old told the news outlet. “I just jumped in and took control.”
A basketball net on November 14, 2017. (Lance King/Getty Images)
Miller admitted that being described as a lifesaver was unsettling.
“It's strange 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 transported to an Oklahoma City hospital and ultimately admitted to 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 ICU,” read a statement issued on January 9. “Doctors said the quick response from our trainers and the training they received was probably what 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 Vitales had been breathing without the aid of a ventilator since January 11.
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