A grieving family's mixed emotions after defibrillator saves teen

An Ottawa family who fought to have defibrillators placed in schools after their son died during recess say they had mixed emotions when they learned one of the machines helped save the life of another child.

Griffin Martin was eight years old when he collapsed and died outside Orleans Wood Elementary School in 2017.His heart had stopped beating.

• A heartbeat away

The school didn't have a defibrillator, and while it's not known for certain whether one would have saved Griffin'slife, his family has made it their mission to ensure other familiesnever have to wonder.

After their son's death, the Martins launched a fundraising campaign to purchase automated external defibrillators, orAEDs, for schools across the city, includingAvalon Public School in Orlans.

On Feb. 22, that device helped save the life of a16-year-old boy who went into cardiac arrest during a basketball game.

• Teen basketball player revived with defibrillator

Someone called 911 while the boy's coach, ChrisWaycott, began CPR. Anotherparent ran to grab the school's AED.

"I hate to think of what could have happened if he wasn't in that school that evening, or if that event didn't take place where it did, when it did,"Waycottsaid.

The teen, who had no known pre-existing heart condition,is recovering at CHEO,where he is in stable condition.

Mixed emotions for family

Griffin's father,Damien Martin, said he wanted to feel proud that their work helped save the teen, but admits he had mixed emotions.

I couldn't help thinking, this person is alive because our son has died.- Damien Martin

"I couldn't help thinking, this person is alive because our son has died," he said.

"Icouldn't help asking myself, 'Where was Griffin's second chance? Why weren't we able to just get a terrible scare, rather than having to plan a funeral?'"

Andrea Martin said the timing of the incident was uncanny because it happened almost two years to the day after her son died.

Donated defibrillator saves 16-year-old boy

6 years ago

Duration 0:43

Andrea and Damien Martin launched a fundraising campaign to get AEDs into schools after their own son went into cardiac arrest and died in 2017. Now, one of those donated defibrillators is being credited with saving the life of a 16-year-old boy, who collapsed while playing basketball last month.

"It was like Griffin was watching out for other children," shesaid.

She said one of the most difficult things she's ever done was share her son's story publicly.

"I can't underscore how difficult that was, and we know that we did it for the right reason now. I do feel a bit vindicated."

Coach who helped revive 16-year-old credits AED

6 years ago

Duration 0:41

Basketball coach Chris Waycott says the "hard work" of the Martin family was the reason there was an AED available to save the life of one of his players.

Mother extends thanks

In a statement released throughCHEO, the mother of the teen who collapsed last monthextended her thanks.

"I'm extremely grateful to the school boards for equipping their gyms with defibrillators. I believe it made a difference for my son," she wrote."I'm encouraging more public institutions to get defibrillators."

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Boarddecided to put AEDs in all of its schools a week after the Martin family shared their story with CBC.

• Defibrillators coming to all OCDSB schools

Andrea and DamienMartin say their mission is complete inOttawa, but more work needs to be done to get the potentially life-saving devices in schools across Ontario and the country.