Death at Regional Clinic

[MassachusettsRef]

I had already expected to see this on the board, but since I didn't, I'll pass it along. Word came to me via our SDI.

Death in the Soccer Family
From the DC-VA Refs web site:

Mar 02 2003
Richard Feierabend, Soccer Referee

Richard C. Feierabend, 4014 Longwood Drive, Fredericksburg, Virginia, collapsed and died while taking the 12 minute run during the Regional Clinic in Baltimore on Saturday, March 1. Richard was first registered with USSF in 1991 and became a Grade 7 referee in 1998.

CPR was begun immediately upon Richard's collapse, paramedics arrived within 5 minutes, and a team of doctors met the ambulance when it arrived at Maryland General Hospital, located two blocks from the location of the physical test. Despite the best efforts of everyone involved, they were unable to resuscitate him.

We all regret this loss, are deeply saddened to lose one of our own, and are very concerned for Richard's wife, Patricia, and other family members. As soon as funeral arrangements are known, we will post them on this site.

http://www.vadcsoccerref.com/

[pkCrouse]

I had heard from a friend who was in attendance that someone had collapsed, but he didn't know the outcome for certain. My friend told me that they all felt so helpless they didn't know what to do, so they just continued with the run while the medics tried to administer first aid. Very sobering experience.

[wjarrettc]

Thanks for sharing this story. It has motivated me to do something I've been planning on for years, but never found the time...get my Red Cross CPR certification.

Should I be on the field and this happen to one of the players or other officials, I don't want to feel as helpless your friend did.

I wonder if USSF should require some minimal CPR training for its refs?

[kevbrunton]

Originally posted by wjarrettc
Should I be on the field and this happen to one of the players or other officials, I don't want to feel as helpless your friend did.
I was warned once not to attempt to help an injured player. Get the coaches / trainers out there and step out of the way. They have medical releases signed by parents -- you as the referee don't.

[Alberto]

Originally posted by kevbrunton
I was warned once not to attempt to help an injured player. Get the coaches / trainers out there and step out of the way. They have medical releases signed by parents -- you as the referee don't.

Exactly, that is sound advice. The only time would be if someone went into cardiac arrest and no one else knew CPR.

If anyone is interested:
Memorial contributions may be made to Camp Berea, c/o Calvary Chapel, 1103 Potomac Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA 22405.

Thanks for posting the information MassRef

[pkCrouse]

It is a familiar but (in my opinion) misplaced debate. Many will echo the advice that was given to Kev: they say that we shouldn't intervene because of liability issues, medical releases, yada yada yada. The truth is that in every state there is some version of a "good samaritan" law that protects anyone who makes a good-faith effort to render aid in a life saving situation. Frankly, if I was faced with a player, coach, official, spectator or anyone else (anytime, anywhere) who was likely to die without CPR, I hope I wouldn't hesitate to act. Of course we should step back and yield to those who are better trained if they are available. If we're not talking about a life-or-death situation then I agree it is best to let the coaches et al deal with it. I just couldn't stand by and watch someone die because I was affraid of being sued. Contrary to the popular image, we didn't trade our humanity for our badge.

(Just so we don't lose focus of the original post by MassRef, first aid was rendered immediately by qualified caregivers. Unfortunately it wasn't successful.)

[Keith]

About 8 months ago we lost of the most beloved referees in Colorado in the same way. He was taking the physical fitness test for college, collapsed and died of a heart attack. His name was Ron Loos. He first was certified in 1980, became a Grade 5 referee, refereeing high school, college, was an assessor and was a leader in the referee community. When these referees die in the course of their duty, it's especially sad.

[Grizzlierbear]

Our deepest sympathy and condolences go out to the family and friends of Mr. Ron Loos and Mr. Richard C. Feierabend from their colleagues to the North.

I am in 100% agreement with PKCrouse.
I would like to to point out if honouring the humanity of all we come in contact with knowing CPR and BASIC first aid should be a DUTY of everyone. To do otherwise in my view is unacceptable when the knowledge is EASILY gotten and costs only gratitude.

Your competence in applying fundemental life saving techniques that are or should be part of our school education might be the difference. I agree you defer to better trained personal but to have no training is a flaw in the integrity of a human being. As a referee you are an authoritarian figure and some good can arise from taking charge until better trained people arrive.

Give aid to the level you are trained, however to be totally untrained is TOTALLY unneccessary.
If we are so worried that the threat of possible legal action would prevent us from doing what our hearts tell us is needed then our priorities are messed up.

My sympathy extends to those who struggled with the death of their colleague while they worked to save him. I know both the exultation of making the difference and the deep pain that accompanies our failure even when not our fault. Forgiveness extends to self as well as others. Having wrestled those same concepts knowing if I had started a bit earlier or noticed the distress a bit earlier maybe... but LIFE is god's gift and those who live it need not worry when it passes.

[MassachusettsRef]

Originally posted by Grizzlierbear
Our deepest sympathy and condolences go out to the family and friends of MR Quick clarification--though I share your sympathy and express my condolences, I did not know either of these men personally; I was just passing along information.

[jacathcart]

Originally posted by pkCrouse
It is a familiar but (in my opinion) misplaced debate. Many will echo the advice that was given to Kev: they say that we shouldn't intervene because of liability issues, medical releases, yada yada yada. The truth is that in every state there is some version of a "good samaritan" law that protects anyone who makes a good-faith effort to render aid in a life saving situation. Frankly, if I was faced with a player, coach, official, spectator or anyone else (anytime, anywhere) who was likely to die without CPR, I hope I wouldn't hesitate to act. Of course we should step back and yield to those who are better trained if they are available. If we're not talking about a life-or-death situation then I agree it is best to let the coaches et al deal with it. I just couldn't stand by and watch someone die because I was affraid of being sued. Contrary to the popular image, we didn't trade our humanity for our badge.

Amen brother! When I was a Jarhead I would have a standdown at least once a year in the office or command and have a CPR instructor come and train us in CPR (True story - instructor explains that people who have collapsed often have vomited and 1st step is to clear the airway and remove the vomit. One of my young captains was given a hypo where he was on the scene of a collapse and he found that the unconscious person had vomited. "What would you do Captain" said the isntructor. The young officer replied "I would say 'This man is going to die, Sir")

I saved the life of a secretary two years ago who choked on a chocolate chip cookie because I knew the Heimlich and everyone else was standing around staring.

If someone drops on your field, call on the coach and trainer, clear folks away, get person into position for CPR, check airway, and check to see if anyone is going to come up with training. If not, have at it until there because even an inexpert job is better than nothing.

Kyla Burt, U of Wash women's hoops player collapsed with heart stoppage in her apartment this year and her roomies - none of whom were trained in CPR - half-assed it as best they could and saved her life.

I agree that refs should know emergency first aid. CPR/Heimlich/severe bleeding etc.

Jim

(Just so we don't lose focus of the original post by MassRef, first aid was rendered immediately by qualified caregivers. Unfortunately it wasn't successful.)