KEY POINTS:
A 16-year-old Hamilton high school student can thank quick-thinking staff for using a defibrillator, after he suffered a heart attack.
Year 12 pupil Kenneth Yew is recovering in Waikato Hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest at Hillcrest High School 12 days ago, the Waikato Times reported today.
Relief teacher Tony Wilkinson and student Nathan Bedwell performed CPR on Kenneth, while classmates went for help.
The school's defibrillator was brought to the sick boy by school nurse Shirley Cresswell and Mr Wilkinson operated it.
After 13 minutes of CPR and three shocks, Kenneth's heartbeat stabilised and he began breathing.
St John advanced paramedic Adrian Gavin praised staff and students' quick response and said having a defibrillator at the school had been crucial to Kenneth being revived.
The defibrillator, which cost about $3000, was bought last year with money from Hamilton Chartwell Lions Club and the Scotswood Trust.
Mr Gavin said it was rare for a young person to suffer a cardiac arrest.
Tests were still being done to diagnose the cause of the heart attack.
Kenneth said he couldn't remember anything of the incident.
"I remember coming out of English class and then waking up in hospital," he said. "Everything else is a blank."
Kenneth's father, Ching Yew, said his son was a top badminton player with no history of health problems.
- NZPA
