Franklin teen Carter Zahn is turning his survival story into a mission to improve public access to AEDs and raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes.

Zahn was 16 years old when he collapsed during a basketball tournament in Illinois after suffering sudden cardiac arrest despite having no known heart condition or prior symptoms.

“A parent from my AU team came down and started CPR for me. An AED saved me.”

— Carter Zahn

Now 18, Zahn helped inspire the installation of a new outdoor AED SaveStation outside the Franklin Middle School Community Recreation Center. The unit was donated by ZOLL and SaveStation with support from the Franklin Fire Department.

The climate-controlled SaveStation is designed for year-round outdoor use and automatically alerts nearby first responders when the cabinet is opened.

“We need our first responders to be able to call 911, grab the closest AED, and start those chest compressions.”

— Shannon Anthoine, Assistant Chief, Franklin Fire Department

Medical professionals say rapid AED access within minutes of collapse can significantly improve survival outcomes during sudden cardiac arrest emergencies.

Zahn says he now hopes to continue advocating for heart safety and public AED awareness throughout the community.