Michael Ward and Pequot Lakes Police Officer Johsn Gartner met in the Pequot Lakes High School gym where Gartner used the defibrillator to save Ward. PHoto by Pete Mohs

Yet it's a night the 17-year-old from Pequot Lakes will never forget.

Ward was attending a workout with his basketball teammates in the Pequot Lakes High School gymnasium when his life suddenly changed as he suffered a cardiac arrest.

"All I remember that night was being dropped off (at school)," Ward said Monday morning in one of his first trips back to the Patriots' gym. "The next thing I remember was being in the hospital and a guy ripping wires off my leg."

Teammates have told Ward he had just completed a layup when he was involved in a collision with other players and the padded wall behind the basket. The play continued to the other end of the court when Ward suddenly collapsed.

"Right now, they really don't know what happened," Ward said of the medical staff from St. Cloud Hospital. "There's nothing in my family history (for heart problems). They say it was more of a fluke that I was hit at a time when my heart was working hard."

Teammates quickly responded by calling for medical help. Within minutes, emergency help arrived, including Pequot Lakes police officer Josh Gartner, who used a defibrillator to revive Ward's heart on the scene. Ward was then airlifted to St. Cloud Hospital, a flight that took just 20 minutes.

"They induced me into a coma (at the hospital) to slow down my heart because your body uses more energy when you're awake," said Ward, whose temperature was lowered to 92.3 degrees.

Doctors kept Ward in a coma for 36 hours and the procedure was successful. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator was then placed in Ward's chest to alleviate any further cardiac episodes. He will have the ICD for the rest of his life.

"I can't lift my left arm over my head for a few more weeks (because of the surgery), but right now I feel pretty good," Ward said. "The (ICD) will shock the heart into a normal beat if it's ever needed. Most implants will never be used, so it's more like a life insurance policy."

Ward is anxious to receive more answers at his medical review in five weeks in St. Cloud.

"I've asked a lot of questions because I still can't believe it happened," said Ward, who added that three staff members at St. Cloud Hospital counted 47 times that he had asked "Where am I?" and "What happened?" in the days following the coma.

At his medical review, Ward plans to ask about his chances of playing basketball for his senior season with the Patriots.

"I'm not sure what they will say," said the 6-foot-4, 200-pound center, who was second on his team with a 12-point scoring average and second in rebounding with an 8.5 average in helping the Patriots' finish 20-9 overall last winter.

"We're just happy he's here," Pequot Lakes basketball coach Garry Grewe said Monday after talking with Ward. "It just proves you can't take anything for granted and you should live every day to the fullest."

Basketball is Ward's favorite sport, but the most important thing is he beat the odds and survived.

"They say it's rare and that many people don't live through it," Ward said of the incident. "I really want to thank the first responders and the staff at the hospital."

Ward also thanks everyone for their thoughts and prayers.

"I received a lot of cards," he said. "The Crosby-Ironton basketball team even sent me a card."

Gartner, who arrived on the scene with reserve sergeant J.D. Berns, said this was the second time he used a defibrillator to save a cardiac arrest victim in Pequot Lakes. In December 2007, he used a defibrillator to help save a woman who had collapsed at Pestello's.

"It's our job, but it's a little nerve rattling when it's somebody as young as Michael," Gartner said. "You expect it with the older people, but not with the younger ones."

Gartner said all five Pequot Lakes squad cars have defibrillators. He also encouraged people to know CPR and how to use a defibrillator. A defibrillator is also located near the main entrance of the high school.

"Those are the things that will save people's lives," he said.

Fundraiser planned Friday

Michael Ward, who survived a cardic arrest earlier this month, will have a chance to thank the medical staff on the scene and at St. Cloud Hospital, and also help promote heart awareness, at a benefit from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 26, in the Pequot Lakes High School cafeteria.

The event features a sloppy joe meal, silent auction, CPR and AED demonstrations and a guest speaker from "Take Heart" of St. Cloud.

Cost is $7 for adults, $5 for ages 4-12 and free for children under age 3.