York Practical Shooters is a USPSA affiliate club operating on the grounds of the York Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America in Dallastown, Pennsylvania. Over the years, we’d had our share of minor cuts and bruises during setup and matches—but we’d never faced a serious medical emergency. That changed with our April 19, 2026, match.
Setup for the match began the day prior, April 18. Like most months, more than 20 club members and volunteers turned out to build the stages, with arrivals starting around 8:00 a.m. Most of the eight stages were nearing completion by 11:00 a.m.
Don Miller, our Competition Committee chairman and owner/lead instructor of SAFE Firearms Training, LLC, arrived around that time and parked near the bays. Don is a former burn, surgical and trauma flight nurse with extensive emergency department and critical care experience. He never goes to the range without his emergency gear, including an automated external defibrillator (AED) in his car for every match and training event, because, as he’ll tell you, the likelihood of a cardiac emergency on a range far exceeds the probability of a gunshot wound.
Don was chatting with club members Jeff Patton and Rod Nicolette when Doug Ports walked past the group. Doug has been a mainstay of our setup crew since discovering USPSA early last year and has been learning the ins and outs of match setup while working to master the shooting side of the sport. After passing the group, Doug collapsed to the ground.
Don immediately rushed to Doug’s side. After a rapid assessment confirmed the absence of respirations and a pulse, he retrieved his AED and Ambu bag from his vehicle. Jeff Patton called 911, while Jason Markey went to the range entrance to direct the incoming ambulance and Todd McCartney moved through the property ordering a ceasefire on all ranges. Don removed Doug’s shirt, applied the AED pads and initiated the AED analysis. The AED advised a shock, which Don delivered.
Following the shock, Dave Williams began chest compressions while Steve Pearce and Don managed Doug’s airway using the Ambu bag. Ed Kelly, the match director for the April match and setup lead, arrived on scene and took over compressions. After approximately two minutes, Ed paused and said, “It feels like he’s breathing against my compressions.” He was right–Doug had regained spontaneous respirations and a pulse, so compressions were stopped.
Paramedics arrived shortly after and assumed Doug’s care. Club members helped lift him on the stretcher and in the ambulance, and he was transported to the hospital. It was later determined that Doug had a 65% blockage of his left anterior descending coronary artery (commonly known as the “widowmaker”) and that a piece of plaque had broken off, blocking the remaining 35% of the vessel. He spent several days in the ICU at WellSpan York Hospital, but was home by April 22 and is recovering well.
The outcome could have been very different. We were incredibly fortunate that Don was available with his AED and that those around him stepped up without hesitation.
For those interested in establishing their own AED program—for a club, business or personal use—Don has contacts who can help. Reach out to him directly through SAFE Firearms Training.
Our club is now actively exploring the purchase of permanent on-site AEDs because of this incident, which serves as an object lesson for everyone, particularly those who tune out during the often-repeated safety measures portion of match briefings. Pay attention to safety briefings; a life could depend on it.
Article from the May/June 2026 issue of USPSA’s magazine.
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