Iowa teen uses first aid training to help volunteer injured during discus throw

OSKALOOSA, Iowa (WHO) — On April 11, Cora Snakenburg, a sophomore on the Oskaloosa girls’ track and field team, was just about to begin preparation for the shot-put competition during a meet at East Marshall. As she began her routine, a gasp from spectators caught her attention after one of the volunteers measuring the discus event was hit in the back of the head after an errant throw.

“I just see some guy holding the back of his head and everyone is staring at him and he holds his hand out and it’s just blood and red, dripping. He called out for help and 911 and I (didn’t) really see anyone helping or going out to him but he’s walking and needs help,” Snakenburg said.

It was at that moment Snakenburg said CPR and first aid training she learned going through lifeguard certification took over. She applied pressure to the wound, and kept the victim calm and awake as they waited for paramedics to arrive. Once the victim was transported to a local hospital, Snakenburg refocused on the track meet, like nothing had happened. But, what happened next was likely tied to the chaotic event Snakenburg responded to.

“I don’t remember my exact markings but I threw a (personal record) which is pretty good. I’m not sure if I brought home any points for my team but I gave it my best and I threw my best,” Snakenburg said.

Coach Betsey Luck wasn’t surprised when she learned what her sophomore athlete did.

“It takes a lot of guts to step and do something like that when other people are around but to be able to say I can help in some way and step up and do that is fantastic and all the kids should know how to do it. All of our high schoolers have to complete CPR training before they graduate and basic first aid is something you never know when it’s going to come in and you need to help someone else,” Luck said.

The injured volunteer was identified as a high school student at East Marshall. The young man required multiple staples to close the wound to his head, but was released later that same day and is expected to fully recover, school officials said.

Snakenburg will be attending the Drake Relays this week in Des Moines as a spectator, which means another set of CPR-certified eyes will be keeping tabs on everyone.

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