From Collapse to Comeback, An Athlete Raises Awareness for AEDs
Seventeen-year-old Spencer Davis was living every high school athleteā€™s dream until a routine football play nearly took his life. After a hit to the chest triggered sudden cardiac arrest on the field at Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School in Pennsylvania, it was the fast, trained response of four coaches that made the difference. Thanks to their CPR training and access to a nearby AED, Spencerā€™s heartbeat was restored after 13 critical minutes.
Spencer suffered a rare condition caused by a blunt force impact, similar to the one experienced by Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin. Just weeks following the incident, Spencer was back at school and back on the court and field for basketball and baseball season. Now, Spencer and his family are paying it forward through the Spencer Davis Foundation, working to bring CPR training and AED access to schools across the country.
Spencerā€™s story is a powerful reminder of why Cogent Steps trains professionals to act when it matters most. Additionally, weĀ believe AEDs should be accessible in every school, workplace, and community setting because having the right tools close by can help turn a crisis into a second chance.
Learn more about the incident here.