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Four Honored For Saving Student

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By COURTNEY CAIRNS PASTOR, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 19, 2007

FOREST HILLS - Chamberlain student Kenneth Brooks stood before the Hillsborough County school board last week, a happy ending to a scary time at the high school.

Next to him, district athletic director Lanness Robinson praised four Chamberlain teachers and administrators, saying their heroic actions had saved Brooks' life. The school board had singled out the educators for recognition at the Dec. 11 meeting.

Board members and the audience applauded boys basketball coach Doug Aplin, girls basketball coach Jim Martin, assistant principal Ovett Wilson and assistant girls basketball coach Jene Bell. Robinson said he was impressed by how they remained calm in an emergency and kept the presence of mind to make the decisions quickly.

"These dedicated employees' quick thinking and training saved the life of this student athlete," Robinson said.

Brooks, a junior who plays basketball at Chamberlain, had collapsed during practice on Oct. 31. Aplin rushed to him, screaming his name. Brooks had stopped breathing, and Aplin couldn't find a pulse.

The coach started cardiopulmonary resuscitation through Brooks' nose, because his mouth had filled with blood after his fall. Martin grabbed the portable automated external defibrillator to restore the boy's heart rhythm. Every public high school has at least one defibrillator, paid for by a grant, and schools do annual training on the devices.

While Aplin shocked Brooks with the defibrillator, Wilson called 911 and directed paramedics to the gymnasium. Bell pulled Brooks' emergency information card so she could call his mother.

Brooks awakened and was taken to the hospital, where he remained for more than a week. His mother, Yolanda Williams, said earlier that doctors could not find a reason his heart stopped but he did have a small heart murmur.

Board member Susan Valdes said no matter how old the student, she considered all of them her "kids." "Go Chamberlain Chiefs," Valdes said. "I'm proud of you, son, and I'm glad you're with us."

Reporter Courtney Cairns Pastor can be reached at (813) 865-1503 or cpastor@tampatrib.com.

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