Amber’s Story: Saved by Quick Action and an AED

On December 23, 2010, what began as a normal school day for 11-year-old Amber Jahr of Omro, Wisconsin, quickly turned into a fight for her life. After riding the bus with her sister and heading off to sixth grade, the morning felt routine. But during third-hour gym class, while running laps, Amber suddenly collapsed from what would later be diagnosed as sudden cardiac arrest.

The Power of Quick Action

A classmate immediately ran to get the teacher, who quickly recognized the seriousness of the situation. Amber wasn’t breathing and had begun to turn grey. He directed one student to call 911 from the front office and another to find Wendy Roesler, the school nurse.

Nurse Roesler wasted no time and began chest compressions. At the same time, a school custodian, who was also a trained first responder, retrieved the school’s ZOLL AED Plus^®. When CPR alone wasn’t enough, the AED was used to deliver a lifesaving shock.

Amber was transported to Aurora Medical Center and later flown to Children’s Hospital of Milwaukee. According to her cardiologist, there was less than a minute to spare before the outcome would have been tragically different.

Due to the life-saving measures of my local school district staff, first responders, and the use of the school AED, I am thankful to be living a healthy life 15 years later.

Amber Jahr, SCA Survivor

Thanks to the swift actions of her school staff, the presence of trained responders, and the availability of an AED, Amber’s life was saved. Today—15 years later—she is living a healthy life, deeply grateful for the chain of survival that worked exactly as it should.

Amber’s story is a powerful reminder that sudden cardiac arrest can strike at any age, and that preparation—training, quick response, and access to AEDs—can make the difference between life and loss.

Amber’s story shows why AEDs belong in every school. Is your school prepared?