LOUISVILLE, Ky. — An 11-year-old Jefferson County Public Schools student spent Friday recovering in the hospital after his teachers saved his life.

What You Need To Know

  • Louisville couple Christina and Anthony Mattingly are praising staff at Kammerer Middle School after saving their son's life 
  • Noah Mattingly, 11, spent Friday recovering in the hospital after losing consciousness Tuesday afternoon 

  • Teachers and staff used an automated external defibrillator to revive him before he was transported to Norton Children's 

  • JCPS supplied AEDs to every school building last school year

“If it hadn't happened at school, there's no telling what would have happened," said Christina Mattingly, mother of Noah Mattingly. "We could have lost him that day." 

Noah, who attends Kammerer Middle School, told teachers Tuesday afternoon that he was feeling dizzy. He then lost consciousness and stopped breathing. 

“They said if they had not initiated that shock to stop what was going on in there, he wouldn't have recovered it,” said Anthony Mattingly, Noah's father. 

Within seconds, teachers and staff performed CPR and used an automated external defibrillator device on him until first responders arrived.

“Honestly, I think it should be across the country that every school needs these machines and that all the staff members need to be CPR trained," Christina said.

"If you've saved one child a year, it's worth it," Anthony said. "You've saved a life." 

Norton Children's Hospital doctors found that Noah had an undetected medical condition, causing his heart to stop. 

“Wolf Parkinson's White Syndrome is a common cause of sudden cardiac arrest, and it's often undiagnosed,” said Adam Skaff, Norton Children’s cardiologist and Project ADAM director. 

Skaff said he applauds staff members for their quick action. 

“Without urgent action from the school, early CPR, early AED placement and defibrillation, a sudden cardiac arrest can quickly turn into a sudden cardiac death,” Skaff said.

The AED saved Noah's life.

“If they hadn't had done what they did, Noah wouldn't be here," Anthony said. "They were there when he needed them the most." 

Noah’s teachers and staff said they're grateful he’s doing better.

“He got lucky when it happened, if there's anything to take out of it,” said Brian Aulick, Kammerer Middle School sixth-grade assistant principal. 

"We're lucky that we had the AED; I think that's really one of the most important things that comes out of this, is that the AED is lifesaving equipment," said Shannon Pierce, Kammerer Middle School security monitor. "And we're so lucky and blessed to have a couple in here. But some schools, I don't think, still have those resources." 

JCPS supplied AEDs to every school building last school year.

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