OAK PARK, Mich. – When beloved Oak Park High School coach Al Kattola started feeling off during a basketball game, he didn’t realize what was happening to him.
But two Oak Park juniors did and they sprang into action.
Kattola had opted to play in a teacher-student basketball game before heading out on a road trip. After the game began, Kattola needed to sit down.
“I was feeling kinda winded but I didn’t notice anything other than to fight through,” Kattola recalled.
Izzy Dubose and Correy Coleman both knew something was wrong. Izzy got him on the ground and began CPR and Correy ran to grab an AED. Both girls are in nursing programs in addition to their regular school work.
They made the difference before emergency medical crews could arrive and Kattola made a full recovery due to their quick action.
Michigan schools aren’t required to have AEDs, but Oak Park saw the value and partnered with Corewell Health early on.
Related: Legislation to require AEDs in Michigan schools sees strong support ahead of Senate vote