September 23, 2023 was a beautiful day for Michigan’s final water skiing tournament of the season at a great site well out in the countryside of West Michigan. With full sunshine, light winds, and reasonable temperatures for late September, the tournament started at 8:30AM with a full running order.
The first skier off the dock, Kevan Fager (M7), had traveled from Minnesota to visit his son and daughter, who were attending college nearby. All 3 had entered the tournament. After his round had concluded, Kevan returned to his car and changed into dry clothing between rounds. Shortly afterward, as he sat in the car with his family, he began to feel unwell. A few moments after that, he became unresponsive and went into cardiac arrest. His family immediately removed him from the car and a call to 911 was made. Kevan’s son, Kerry, who reportedly had completed CPR training only weeks before, began resuscitating his father. His daughter informed tournament officials of the emergency. The Chief Safety, Kurt Rotman @kurt, raced to the starting dock to retrieve the safety kit and Mike Trembowicz, another skier who is an anesthesiologist.
As Kerry continued to administer textbook CPR, Kurt and Mike arrived within a minute or so. The safety kits provided to Michigan tournaments by the Michigan Water Ski Association contain an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Kurt opened the AED and initialized it. Mike applied the pads to the Kevan’s chest and continued his assessment of Kevan’s condition while Kerry continued CPR. The AED analyzed Kevan’s heart and advised for a shock, which was delivered. Kerry resumed CPR and a second official, Larry Lutz, who is a nurse anesthetist, was summoned from his duties as boat judge to assist, as the tournament was halted. Kevan was gray in color and gurgling, with no evident steady vital signs. A second shock from the AED was advised and delivered. Kerry resumed CPR. First responders began to arrive in waves from the local fire department with additional equipment. An advanced airway was inserted and the bag was used to supply breaths. A third shock from the AED was advised and delivered. Kerry resumed providing chest compressions. As additional responders arrived, an automatic chest compression device was applied and began to supply the compressions. A fourth shock from the AED was advised and delivered. Mike and Larry monitored Kevan and attempted to detect vital signs and assist/advise responders in resuscitation efforts. The coordination and cooperation amongst all of the responders was calm and efficient. Every required action was quickly identified and completed without confusion or loss of focus.
Eventually, Kevan exhibited weak, but steady, vital signs and his color had improved substantially. He was transferred to the ambulance gurney and transported to the hospital. Kevan received additional care and various procedures at the hospital. After a week, he was discharged and returned home to Minnesota to continue his recuperation. His prognosis is excellent.
With a deep devotion to their Christian Faith, Kevan and his family credit the amazing outcome and confluence of skilled responders to God. Indeed, many of the responders and bystanders that day immediately commented on His presence and the miracle they had witnessed.