Nov 4, 2020Massachusetts Trainer Saves Referee’s Life at Game
A Massachusetts high school athletic trainer sprang into action last week when a soccer referee suddenly suffered a heart attack during a game.
Amy Tessitore, athletic trainer for Hanover (MA) High School, acted and thought quickly as the referee collapsed, having someone immediately call 911 while instructing another person to retrieve the automatic defibrillator on the field as she began performing CPR.
A report from The Brockton Enterprise detailed the life-saving moments and spoke to Tessitore about it.
“I’m thankful I was there, but everyone around me jumped up and no one hesitated,” Tessitore told The Brockton Enterprise. “Everyone knew what they needed to do.”
According to the Enterprise, Tessitore received the defibrillator within a minute with first responders arriving on scene soon after the 911 call was made.
“He was up and transported out of here,” Tessitore said to the Enterprise. “It was very smooth and quick.”
She went on to note that two parents assisted her in helping the under-duress official while coaches helped usher players away from the scene and others gathered up the official’s belongings.
“Everyone had something. It was wonderful to see how quickly everyone jumped in,” Tessitore said to the Enterprise. “The coaches jumped into action and the police were here quickly to see if they could help. Hopefully, that doesn’t happen again, but we’re prepared.”
Defibrillators are interactive and can be used by someone who has not been trained. The devices indicate when and where to put pads and if and when a shock will be administered. Even if she had not been there, the other coaches, whom she has trained, would have stepped in, she told the Enterprise.
To read the full story from The Brockton Enterprise on Tessitore’s quick-thinking and fast-acting moves, click here.
