SMITHFIELD – Most Utah high schools have, or should have, certified athletic trainers assigned to their athletic teams in order to react to events like those of December 11, 2023 at Sky View High.
It was a normal day in the training room, which most days are, before an athlete collapses on the floor and stops breathing. Dean Phillips and his buddies were lifting weights when Dean went down hard. One of his friends scrambled to find Curtis Cazier, Sky View’s athletic trainer, who was nearby.
Cazier, who goes through training quarterly to prepare for events like the one he was facing that day, was ready.
When the 16-year old Phillips was unresponsive Cazier determined he was in cardiac arrest. Cazier started CPR and sent a student to bring the AED (automated external defibrillator) from his office. Another student called 911.
Cazier placed sticky pads from the AED to analyze Dean’s heart rate. The AED delivered a shock and Cazier continued CPR. On the second analysis, the AED didn’t recommend shock but instructed Cazier to continue compressions because Dean’s heart rate was evening out and the color of his face was changing.
“That’s when the EMS showed up and they took over,” said Cazier.
Interview with Intermountain Health athletic trainer Curtis Cazier about his life-saving efforts in the Sky View weight room last December.
Curtis Cazier’s quick action those first few minutes, while being guided by his training, decreased the chances of long-term effects on the promising athlete.
Dean was cleared to play football in June. He had to go through quite a lot to get himself cleared and safe enough to be able to play football.
Dean’s mother Amy Phillips has worked to spread the word that September is SAD Awareness Month; SAD standing for Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome.
Amy requested the whole school dress in red for Friday night’s football game and she helped organize a Life Flight helicopter landing right before the kickoff of the 62nd ever Sky View-Logan game at Hansen Stadium. Cazier will disembark and deliver the game ball to the officiating crew. Others who were crucial in delivering care to Dean quickly on that December day will be recognized as well.
Cazier told Eric Frandsen and Jason Walker Thursday on their Full Court Press show on 106.9 FM that he expects a life changing event like this will change relationships forever among those involved.
“I told Dean when I visited him in the hospital a few days later that we’re now family,” said Cazier. “I am in communication with his Mom frequently. Dean is in the training room quite often. The other day in the training room he told me I’m his favorite person at Sky View; I’ll take that.”
At the end of his radio appearance Cazier issued a plug for the network of trained athletic trainers at all local high schools.
“For those listening with children at the high schools, make sure they get acquainted and form relationships there because, in addition to emergency situations, we are here to help with anything else.”
Cazier said it is through the support of Intermountain Health most Utah high schools have full-time athletic trainers.