Two UNE athletic training students help save life of referee who collapsed during basketball game
Two University of New England athletic training students, Cory DeGiacomo '13 and Mark Dion '13, were part of a group of four interns and an athletic trainer at a girls' basketball game at Westbrook High School who saved the life of a referee who apparently suffered a heart attack while working the game.
During the Nov. 29th junior varsity game, Larry Moreau, a longtime official of local sporting events, collapsed. Westbrook High Athletic Trainer Anita Dixon rushed to Moreau to assess the situation, with the four athletic training interns quickly following with Dixon's equipment bag in hand.
"When we did first get to him he was unconscious, but he was breathing and had very weak pulse," said Dixon, who is an approved clinical instructor for the UNE's Athletic Training Education Program.
Dixon and the students got to work. UNE student Dion was monitoring Moreau's vital signs when he lost a pulse. DeGiacomo began chest compressions, while an athletic training student from the University of Southern Maine gave ventilations.
Dixon next ordered the students to step aside while she used an automated external defibrillator (AED) to shock Moreau to get his heart back in rhythm. Dion then continued to monitor Moreau's vitals, DeGiacomo continued chest compressions and the USM intern continued to give ventilations.
Moreau regained consciousness before the ambulance crew arrived. The ambulance transported Moreau to Maine Medical Center where he underwent emergency surgery and was reported in satisfactory condition.
UNE student Dion didn't see referee Moreau collapse but he heard it.
"In school they prepare you for the worst possible scenarios that you will see in the field," Dion said, "and thankfully we had been exposed to enough in the classroom to be a crucial part of the process. The event was nerve racking, but we all stayed calm, knew our roles and performed them to the best of our ability. I believe that our quick response, trust, and chemistry were the reasons for our success. It's not something that you hope to see, but it was a great experience with a positive outcome."
DeGiacomo added: "It was definitely a bit of an adrenaline rush at first, and when we lost his pulse a little nerve racking to say the least. But once we all got settled into our specific jobs it became a lot easier. Everyone did a great job, and I was just happy he was breathing, responsive and had a pulse by the time the paramedics got there and was glad to hear he was doing ok the next day."
UNE President Danielle Ripich stated, "They say that courage is grace under pressure, and our students certainly displayed this in saving this man's life. I am so proud of the caring and expertise they demonstrated and know this experience will make them even better professionals. Some family is having a much happier holiday as a result of our students' actions."
DeGiacomo and Dion, along with Dixon and USM students Devon Grant and Sarah Lessard, were honored by the Maine Chiefs of Police Association at a Feb. 8th banquet with "Lifesaving Awards."