‘I got another chance’: After a little cardiac arrest, Macewan Basketball player Marco Correas was rescued by the team’s coaches

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Throughout his tenure with Macewan Griffin’s basketball team, Marco Correas could be described as a heart-and-soul player.

But earlier this season, his heart gave almost out of him.

The 24-year-old from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, suffered cardiac arrest during the exercise on November 7, and if it wasn’t for the heroic efforts of Griffin’s athletic training staff, Correas probably wouldn’t be alive today.

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“I don’t have much memory of that moment. To be honest, I left the court and I think I grabbed my chest with my hand and started to feel dizzy and I was looking for help, ”Correas remembered.

“My assistant coach (Bob Arnett) saw me on the floor, and that was when they (the training staff) rushed into action to try to save me.”

Griffins Head Athletic Trainer Jennifer Dunn, Assistant Athletic Trainer Adrienne Dorn, Student Therapist J ‘Ramsanker and Macewan Lifeguard and First Aid Instructor Michael Hartog played a central role in the administration of CPR and used an automated external external defibrillator to reboot Correa’s heart.

Correas spent 17 days in the hospital and is now healthy enough for the past few weeks to take part in home matches and cheer on his teammates when they pack up their regular season.

‘Special connection’

“I’ve always felt a very big appreciation of them, but from this point they always want a special place in my heart for the rest of my life,” Correas said. “Everything I achieve in life, I want to look back on and say it was because of them and those who act as amazing professionals at that moment.

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“Their support through all these days at the hospital – They came when they could. They were there and supported me in the worst situation of my life. I definitely have a special connection with them now. “

Doctors and cardiologists performed a number of tests, but they were unable to determine why Correas went to cardiac arrest. Doctors inmate an ICD (Implantable cardiover defibrillator) In his ribs that will restart his heart if it should happen again.

“There is no diagnosis for now. They say there is an electrical problem in the heart that gave me very bad Arrhythmi. One part of my heart pumped really quickly and not as effective as the other, ”Correas said.

Correas said he felt away that day, and in life.

“Adrienne and I, as soon as we saw Marco (in need), we recognized the seriousness of the situation and we acted quickly and breached our training,” Dunn said.

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“I definitely think there was some fear of losing him, but because of our extensive training and athletic therapists and sporting first responders, I think it really helped us just to stay at the moment and it was first Later, the size of the situation really sunk in.“

Dunn said it is unknown whether Correas will be able to continue playing basketball. More tests and conversations with medical staff will decide that at a later date.

“Any decision for him to return to the sport will be a team decision between his cardiologists, our team doctors and Marco,” Dunn said.

The incident with Correas comes five years after Macewan Griffin’s men’s hockey player Nakehko Lamothe collapsed after a game in Calgary, suffered cardiac arrest and died – so this certainly hits home.

“You never think it will happen to these young healthy athletes, and when something like this happens to someone so well known to us, it’s definitely scary,” Dunn said.

“I am really grateful that we had the team we had and the equipment we had and the result was so good. There is nothing better than seeing Marco walking through the halls that are doing well. “

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Life -changing experience

Correas said the whole experience has been life -changing to him in many ways.

“I definitely thought to myself, is that how I have to die? “Said Correas.

“When I was in the hospital, my mind began to think of what Would have happened if I was somewhere else and I had none to help me? I realized at that moment, it’s so easy for someone to go. “

From Spain, Correas has no family in Edmonton. His mother flew to Edmonton and spent almost a month with his son after the incident, but he is grateful that he has his head coach and teammates to lean in support of his improvement.

“Coach is like another father figure for me, and my teammates are like my brothers. They have been a fantastic support through all this, ”Correas said.

Since Hans Decharge from the hospital, Correas said he makes sure he is focused on his new perspective on life.

“I really felt down in the hospital, but when I came out, I realized that everything I thought about the hospital was valid, but I also have no control,” Correas said.

“I know what happened was scary, but I have to live at the moment, accept it and keep moving on with my life. I got another chance. “

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