Teen’s heart stopped at Queens school before CPR and AED helped save his life

A 15-year-old student who suffered cardiac arrest at a Queens school is alive after school staff, FDNY EMTs, paramedics and firefighters launched an emergency response that restored the teen’s pulse before he reached the hospital.

The incident occurred Thursday when FDNY EMS crews were dispatched to a school in Queens for a reported cardiac arrest involving a teenage student.

According to the FDNY, school staff had already begun CPR and were using an automated external defibrillator, or AED, before emergency responders arrived. Officials said the AED delivered three shocks before EMTs reached the scene.

EMTs Alexis Torres and Justin Sarapaivanit, assigned to Station 45, took over patient care upon arrival and confirmed the 15-year-old remained in cardiac arrest.

The EMTs continued lifesaving resuscitation efforts while additional responders rushed to assist.

Members of Engine 325 arrived shortly afterward and helped prepare the teenager for rapid transport.

As crews worked to move the patient, EMTs reassessed the teen and observed signs of Return of Spontaneous Circulation, commonly known as ROSC. Officials said the student regained spontaneous breathing, a key sign that circulation had returned.

Rescue Paramedics Kayla Pasquarello and Meagan Valicenti, along with Lieutenant Erin Doyle, continued treatment, performed cardiac monitoring and notified the receiving hospital of the patient’s condition before arrival.

FDNY officials credited the outcome to the coordinated response by school personnel, EMTs, firefighters and paramedics.

The department said the rapid recognition of cardiac arrest and immediate CPR provided by school staff played a critical role in helping save the student’s life.

The student’s current condition has not been released.