FRISCO - A few weeks ago during baseball practice, the bats, bases, and breath, faded suddenly for 17-year old Brody Justice. "Next thing I know I'm hyperventillating," said Justice. "And that's the last thing I remember is waking up in a tub, a cold tub and having the oxygen mask on my face. That's the last thing I remember."
The fact that Wakeland High School in Frisco even had oxygen on campus is unusual. Oxygen tanks are typically bulky, expensive, and flammable.
Recently Frisco ISD bought 110 Oxysure units. The new technology provides portable medical grade oxygen without the combustible danger.
"It's a great tool," said Tysha Beaty, one of the athletic trainers who treated Brody Justice. "Especially for asthmatic athletes, it helps them if their inhaler isn't helping. And it is a true athletic asthmatic emergency. It helps us before we have to call EMS. Or it helps us to where we can calm them down and we don't have to call EMS."
Asthma affects more than 5 million children nationwide. It's also the number one cause of school absentees. For years, schools have had no means to help students having breathing difficulties, even though asthma can be a medical emergency. District officials hope the 65-thousand dollar investment in these oxygen units will pay off by helping students avoid respiratory crisis. Statistically, a person is 300 times more likely to need oxygen than an automated external defibrillator, or AED.
The AED at Wakeland High has not been used. The oxygen, however, has been used three times -- by the school nurse alone. Another unit in the athletic department has also been used on separate occassions. Brody Justice isn't asthmatic. But he admits, he is lucky.
"Not lucky that it happened," said Justice. "But lucky to have the oxygen." He hopes that good fortune stays with him during baseball season.
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