An 8-year-old girl is alive thanks to the staff at Hiram Elementary School in Paulding County.
Sienna Stewart’s heart stopped, but her coaches and a school nurse got it going again with an automatic defibrillator.
Sienna has a history of heart problems. In gym class Thursday, she told her coach something was wrong.
"She said, 'Ms. Jackson, I feel dizzy.' And before I could even talk to her she just turned and collapsed right on the floor," said gym coach Paula Jackson.
School nurse Daria Floyd ran for the automatic defibrillator and headed for the gym. The device talked her through the steps for starting Sienna’s heart up, and it worked.
Though she was still unconscious when paramedics arrived, they said she had a chance.
Floyd said she has a daughter about the same age as Sienna. She said her training kicked in, and was on autopilot during the emergency.
"It's really looks promising, so we thank God for the support we had, and we got it done," said Floyd.
Sienna is hospitalized at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and needs a pacemaker.
She should be able to return to school in a few weeks.
WSBTV
