Alum Teaches Students About the Importance of CPR

“You’ll never know when you need to save a life.”

Few people know the importance of CPR better than the Class of 2012’s Kate Weigel, who recently shared her powerful story with physical education students at Yorktown High School.

As part of their CPR lesson, the students listened to a pre-recorded video message from the former volleyball player, who recalled what happened to her on July 15, 2010. Kate was at YHS for a preseason camp when she went into cardiac arrest and fell backward onto the gymnasium floor.

Volleyball coach and PE teacher Katy Sherwood noticed that Kate was turning blue and immediately began to administer CPR while Kate’s teammates called 911. Coach Jeff Wilson also responded and helped perform life-saving actions as PE teacher Mike Rescigno retrieved the nearby automatic external defibrillator (AED).

“The coaches placed the AED on my chest and listened to the instructions from the machine,” Kate recalled. “It told them to stop CPR and wait while it tried to detect a heartbeat prior to delivering a shock. Luckily, the CPR was successful and my heart rhythm returned to normal.”

When she regained consciousness, Kate was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors were able to make a diagnosis and provide a treatment that has allowed her to continue living a healthy life.

“I was told that I was extremely lucky that the coaches knew what do because I had just survived a sudden cardiac arrest,” Kate said. “If the coaches hesitated or didn’t think they were fit to save me, I would not be here.”

Kate said she is proud to serve as a real-life example that CPR saves lives. She urged the students to be prepared, because every second counts when responding to an emergency.

“I hope all current and future students understand the importance of knowing CPR and become inspired to encourage others to educate themselves,” Kate shared.