Seventeen-year-old PJ Kellachanafter going into cardiac arrest.
"I'm very grateful for having such a great training and coaching staff that was able to spring into action," PJ said at the time. His coaches knew CPR and grabbed the AED -- automated external defibrillator -- that restored PJ's heartbeat, just as Hamlin's life was saved on the football field."I cannot stress enough how important time is. Every second counts. Quite literally, every second counts," Nassau Health Commissioner Dr. Irina Gelman said.The AHA and medical staff there are emphasizing how important it is to know what to do and how to help in an emergency.
"If an EMT isn't around and you see somebody collapse ... Jump in and try to save that person," Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said. Over 20 years ago, the Acomporas lost their 14-year-old son, Louis, a goalie on Northport's lacrosse team, when a ball struck his chest.The ambulance with an AED arrived too late to save him. They made it their mission back in 2000 to pass Louis' Law.Since then, Long Island firehouses and EMT volunteers are spreading the word."It's hard work. It's like, you are really saving a life. I feel the energy. I'm sweating.