WJAC (Johnstown, PA)
October 25, 2024
BLAIR COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — A Blair County student is now recovering after suffering a cardiac arrest during a football practice last month.
Jared Parker explains how those around him reacted quickly and what his family hopes this event can teach the community.
On September 18th, Hollidaysburg football player Spencer Davis went into cardiac arrest after being on the receiving end of a hit towards his chest.
And his family says they’re grateful for those involved in saving his life.
“Every minute that an AED or CPR is not being done takes ten percent off the availability to live. Nine out of ten victims in this don’t survive,” his father said.
Last month, Hollidaysburg student Spencer Davis suffered cardiac arrest during football practice, but his life was saved thanks to quick actions made by his coaches and athletic trainer Amy Smearman.
“Every minute counts and every second counts. To have people who are already on scene and very close by who can step in, and they know what to do. They’ve been trained in CPR or rescued breathing or how to use an AED. It takes multiple hands to make it go as efficient as it needs to be,” Smearman said.
UPMC Bedford and UPMC Altoona heart specialist Kristi Montrella spoke about the rarity of cases like Spencer’s.
“Assuming that this cardiac arrest that Spencer suffered was related to the hit in itself. It’s a very rare phenomenon. It’s called commotio cordis. It is incredibly rare although Damar Hamlin suffering this event on national TV certainly brought a lot of light to this situation,” Montrella explained.
Montrella says the quick action of those at the scene allowed Spencer to make a full neurological recovery.
His family says that after Spencer was made aware of the situation, his first concern was making sure the teammate he collided with didn’t feel guilty.
“I feel like he’s always been that kind of kid though. His first instinct is ‘what’s the other guy feeling, how’s this going to affect him,” his sister Addison said.
Now, Spencer and his family want to make the community aware of being prepared for cases like his.
“We really want the community and the teachers and the athletes to be CPR and AED trained because it literally is the difference between life and death,” his mother Jennifer said.
“Why it takes something this bad to put it into everyone’s eyes that this is important; just puts life into perspective. Take every day, day by day. It’s not guaranteed to wake up to you tomorrow,” Davis says.
In honor of Spencer Davis’ survival, and his story, there will be a free community event, on November 14th, on sudden cardiac arrest and CPR awareness at the Hollidaysburg Area High School gym.