On Wednesday, April 6, 2016, a female student was at Ozarka College - Mountain View, waiting for her American History class to begin. It started out as an ordinary day for Susan (Sue) Chasteen, as she was simply sitting in the classroom visiting with another student about an assignment they had received earlier in the week. Sue began to feel dizzy, but thought it was related to an existing medical condition. Fortunately, the student she was visiting with knew she was in need of medical assistance and hurried to the closest faculty office.

Science faculty member David Mitchell rushed to the aide of Sue, while another Ozarka College faculty member called 911. Mr. Mitchell said, "She was sitting up and breathing, but I couldn't get her attention. " Nursing faculty member Mike Rogers was also alerted of the situation. When he arrived to the classroom, he saw that Mr. Mitchell (with the assistance of another student) had safely maneuvered Sue from the chair she was sitting in to the floor and was preparing to begin CPR.

Mr. Rogers began chest compressions while Mr. Mitchell retrieved an automated external defibrillator (AED). He used the AED to shock her two times without response. When the ambulance arrived, Mr. Rogers continued chest compressions as Sue was placed on the gurney. The AED machine was used to do a third shock and they finally got a good pulse just before she was transported to Stone County Hospital.

"The AED machine did just what it was supposed to, " said Mr. Mitchell. "It worked beautifully, but it was a scary experience. "

Mr. Rogers said Sue was doing some agonal, or irregular, breathing and had already lost her color when he arrived. "We were hoping for the best and as it turns out, here she sits. "

Upon arrival to the hospital, Sue was starting to come to, but had no idea that she was suffering from heart failure. "If ya'll just get me a glass of orange juice, I'll be alright, " she said to the nurses. She still thought she was suffering from a known medical condition, not that she had experienced a heart attack. As the hospital staff prepped Sue for transport to White River Health System in Batesville, Arkansas, they commented that the use of the AED (with Ozarka's trained personnel) without a doubt saved Sue's life.

Having all employees certified to administer CPR and use the AED, along with being able to purchase the AEDs to have available at all four Ozarka campus locations, may not have been possible without funds received through the Blue & You grant.

In 2015, Ozarka College was awarded a $46,909 Blue & You Foundation grant to purchase 30 first aid kits, 16 automated external defibrillators and train up to 11 personnel as CPR/AED instructors who would in turn train all of Ozarka College's administration, faculty and staff.

Sue underwent two separate surgeries to receive a total of three stints and other medical care. She is doing well and looking forward to completing the semester and getting back into a regular routine. Sue admits that before her heart attack, she barely noticed the AEDs. "One of those machines and these two guys (looking at Mr. Rogers and Mr. Mitchell) saved me. " She encourages everyone to become aware of AEDs and for the general public to learn how to use them.  

***Photo caption: Sue Chasteen, Ozarka College student, poses with David Mitchell and Mike Rogers (standing left to right) after they saved her life by using an Automated External Defibrillator at Ozarka College - Mountain View.