SPRING HILL, Fla. — A Pasco County mother is crediting school staff for saving her son after he collapsed from cardiac arrest at school last month.
Courtney Jackson said her 13-year-old son, Jonathan, collapsed during P.E. class. She said her son went to the water fountain when he suffered cardiac arrest.
WATCH: Pasco County mother credits CPR and an AED for saving her teen's life after collapsing at school
His coach discovered him near the bathroom.
She received a phone call from school staff on Dec. 9, 2025.
"At that point, you’re just praying that everything’s okay. I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know what caused it to my knowledge. He hadn’t woken up yet, so I didn’t know if he was going to wake up, and it was just absolutely terrifying," she recalled.
She rushed to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa. She said her son was airlifted from the school to the hospital.
"All I see is them opening the helicopter and pulling my son out on a stretcher. He has tubes down his throat when they bring him by me," she said.
Courtney said her son was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, a heart condition present at birth.
According to the Mayo Clinic, people with WPW syndrome have an extra pathway for signals to travel between the heart's upper and lower chambers. This causes a fast heartbeat. Changes in the heartbeat can make it harder for the heart to function properly.
Her son spent several days hospitalized and needed surgery.
Jonathan said he wears a life vest, a wearable defibrillator. He expects to see his doctor later this month and hopes to get clearance to play sports again.
Florida's Second Chance Act requires EKGs for student-athletes in grades 9-12. The law will be implemented next school year (2026-2027).
Courtney is working with a nonprofit called "Who We Play For," which promotes non-invasive heart screenings. The nonprofit also promotes CPR and AED training.
"Just trying to help save other kids. We don't want them to go through what Jonathan did," said Courtney.
"He just collapses, and sudden cardiac arrest, and it's just absolutely terrifying because we had no idea. How do you prevent that, not knowing? That's why I love the state of Florida is pushing to have heart screenings before you can play any sports. I am a huge advocate for that," she said.
People can find screenings near them by visiting this page.
The next screenings will be at Gulf High School on March 2 and Hudson High School on March 3 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
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