The Mustang High School football player and mixed martial artist continues to fight for his life.
Zach Dolan suffered a heart attack while practicing at an Edmond gym last Sunday. His family said the quick actions of fellow fighters saved his life.
“I thought he got knocked out first,” said Chidi Okere, an MMA fighter who knows Dolan.
Okere said he was in the gym when he saw Dolan fall to the mat.
“When we saw him crash, we jumped right in,” he said.
TJ Smith also came to the rescue. Many of the combatants who knew CPR knew that it was more than just a hard blow.
“When I have a seizure and my lips change color, it's scary,” Smith said.
But they put that fear aside and helped another fighter begin CPR until paramedics arrived.
“He was gone, no breathing, no heartbeat, nothing, and then he came back,” Smith said.
Zach's father, Jason Dolan, said he was grateful they learned about CPR.
“If it wasn't for them, we wouldn't be here right now, so they gave him a fighting chance,” Dolan said.
Dolan said her son is now fighting another fight for his life inside Oklahoma Heart Hospital.
“We've tried to find answers as to what exactly happened, but doctors are a little surprised as to what exactly happened,” Dolan said.
Dolan said doctors put her son into an induced coma after the heart attack. The otherwise healthy teenager had no heart problems, his father said.
“It's been a tough battle, but our faith is keeping us there. Prayers from the community, prayers from the players in the gym, people from all over the country praying for him. ” he said.
Friends and family continued to pray for the teenager both inside and outside the hospital room during a weekend vigil.
“It's a blessing to know that people care about you. The best thing they can do is just keep us in their prayers,” Dolan said. “This is his story, this is God’s story, and we take comfort in knowing that no matter what the doctors say, no matter what everyone says, God has the final say. There is.”
While his son continues his fight, Dolan said his family is also taking action and plans to pass a new law in Zach's name that would require all gym facilities to have an AED.
“I pray to God they don't have to use it, but if they do, they're ready,” he said.
Those who stepped in that day say they believe Zach will make it.
“I think he's a good kid and he's only 18 years old. He's tough, so I think he'll be fine,” Smith said.
“He's a fighter and he does mixed martial arts, so that's enough,” Okere said.
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