Referee expected to recover after collapsing during Smithtown High School East soccer game
Quick response from EMT, coaches and staff helped save the referee after on-field medical emergency.
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What began as a regular JV girls soccer game at Smithtown High School East quickly became a life-or-death emergency when a referee suddenly collapsed on the field Wednesday afternoon.
The referee collapsed about 30 minutes into the game, leaving players, coaches and spectators stunned.
"My heart is pounding still, right now to this very moment," coach Amanda Valente said. "I was scared. The girls were scared."
People immediately rushed to help, including parent and St. James Fire Department volunteer EMT Jennifer Carney.
"I was just there taking photos for it and all the sudden, he just dropped," Carney said.
Carney says several people quickly began lifesaving measures, including using an automated external defibrillator.
"A bunch of us ran over and we just started CPR and we got the AED out, placed the pads on him, notice his rhythm was off, and we shocked him," Carney said.
School officials who also sprang to action say it all happened very quickly.
"I sprinted immediately over to the first parent and I saw with the phone I told him to call 911," Valente said.
The referee was taken to the hospital and is expected to be OK.
School officials say the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of emergency preparedness.
"That AED saved his life," said Kelsey McCulley, the athletic trainer.
McCulley said emergency response training is something school staff regularly practice.
"This is training that we do constantly," she said. "We do this annually where we go over scenarios. You never know what's going to happen."
Doctors say the referee's outcome highlights the importance of quick action, including CPR and access to an AED during a medical emergency.
Officials say AEDs and chest compressions can save lives and stress that the devices should always be easily accessible.
"Without either one, his chance of survival is really running in the low teens to single digits and now, with the AED it went up to probably in the high 70% or 80% range," said Dr. Rajiv Jauhar, chief of cardiology at LIJ and NSUH Northwell Health.
