‘Teacher down’ take two: Another Davis High teacher is saved by CPR

PHOTO: DHS staff and student, along with members from the Davis Fire Department were recognized for saving a teacher’s life, during the April 18 school board meeting.

By Alessandra Trask

BlueDevilHUB.com Staff–

For the second time this school year, a teacher at Davis High has had a life threatening medical emergency on campus. 

On March 20, a DHS teacher collapsed in front of the office in the early morning. Shortly after, the teacher stopped breathing and no pulse could be found. 

“I was talking to (him) when the whole thing happened,” science teacher Eric Bastin said. Right as the teacher fell, he knew something was wrong. 

Sophomore Alice Goncharova saw the teacher collapse as she arrived on campus. “That’s when I decided to call 911 when I realized it was that extreme,” Goncherova said. 

“I was en route and they said ‘teacher down possible CPR needed,’” said a campus supervisor, who asked not to be named. Arriving on the scene, he performed CPR on the teacher immediately and called for backup. 

Meanwhile campus supervisor Tim Groth rushed to get the Automated External Defibrillator for the teacher. “We gave him the AED, we placed the pads on him in the correct locations, hit the scan button and cleared everybody out,” Groth said.

The AED delivered two shocks to the teacher before emergency medical technicians finally arrived. Then he was ushered to the hospital. 

DHS students and staff quick response saved the teacher’s life. He was able to make a safe recovery at the hospital and is now back at home.

In saving the teacher’s life, those involved did not think twice and chose to help instantly. On April 18, DHS staff and members of the Davis Fire Department were recognized at a school board.

In November 2023, world language teacher James Curley was revived by Spanish teacher Tim Nelson after going into cardiac arrest during a run.