Teen survives cardiac arrest, inspires heart safety advocacy
By Emily Pofahl
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FRANKLIN, Wisconsin (WISN) — A Franklin teen who survived cardiac arrest during a basketball tournament is now part of the reason why a new AED is installed at a local community center.
Carter Zahn, now 18, collapsed five minutes into a basketball tournament in Illinois two years ago at the age of 16. He had no prior heart issues or underlying conditions.
“It could happen at a school. It could happen at a park. It could happen at a basketball court,” said Lori Peters, who helps lead manufacturer ZOLL. “Age, size, shape — doesn’t matter.”
Reflecting on the incident, Zahn said he was shocked it happened to him.
“You were 16, were you even thinking about your heart?” asked Emily Pofahl.
“Yeah, no. No. I knew nothing about my heart,” Zahn said.
He credits a nearby AED, or automated external defibrillator, with saving his life.
“A parent from my AU team came down and started CPR for me. An AED saved me,” Zahn said.
On Wednesday, a new AED was installed outside the Franklin Middle School Community Recreation Center, donated by manufacturers ZOLL and SaveStation.
The donation was made possible by the Franklin Fire Department.
“Yes, we respond in our average just under five minutes, but we need our first responders to be able to call 911, grab the closest AED, and start those chest compressions,” said Shannon Anthoine, assistant chief of the Franklin Fire Department.
Medical professionals say AED use within minutes of a collapse can double survival chances.
Officials estimate 30,000 to 40,000 people will pass by the new Franklin AED each year.
Zahn said he is motivated to continue advocating for AEDs and heart safety.
“I know what happened. But now I’m more like — just trying to think of it in a positive way, and I want to make it my mission to motivate people,” Zahn said.
The AED, thanks to SaveStation, is climate-controlled to withstand Wisconsin winters and sends alerts to nearby first responders when opened.
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