The club is now advocating for more defibrillators in public spaces.
Courageous first responders and a defibrillator saved a referee’s life on Sunday in Unterafferbach, Aschaffenburg district. While warming up for the Kreisliga match between FC Unterafferbach and SG Mensengesäß/Brücken, the man suddenly collapsed lifeless at the center line. Two members from friendly football clubs reacted immediately, beginning resuscitation measures and subsequently receiving support from additional helpers, as FC Unterafferbach wrote on their Facebook page.
Quick Sprint to the Defibrillator
Club member Steffen Müller immediately recognized the situation and sprinted to fetch a defibrillator from the sports clubhouse, simultaneously alerting emergency services on the way. “I saw him already lying there. I didn’t see him fall. But how he was lying made it relatively clear to me – he had a serious problem. I immediately remembered that we had installed this defibrillator exactly for such cases two years ago,” he told Bayern1.
Using the defibrillator, responders successfully revived the referee, who was even responsive when paramedics arrived.
Steffen Müller: “Wonderful Example of Humanity”
The man has since undergone emergency surgery and is under observation in the hospital’s intensive care unit, according to FC Unterafferbach’s Facebook post thanking all responders. The rescue operation represented a collaboration of many people “who all acted correctly in that moment. Seeing how everything came together – truly a wonderful example of humanity, how everyone helped together,” said Steffen Müller.
Club Advocates for More Defibrillators in Public Spaces
“Such a defibrillator belongs at every football pitch – we shouldn’t be counting pennies here when it’s about saving human lives,” the club wrote on Facebook.
No one should fear using them or making mistakes, emphasized Steffen Müller. As a police officer, he’s familiar with the devices. “I understand the fear people have when they’re unfamiliar with them. But this device would never deliver a shock if not medically necessary. That means laypeople can’t do anything wrong. The good thing about such devices is they tell you exactly what to do next.” He stressed the importance of widespread defibrillator installation at public spaces in smaller communities too.
Time is Critical in Emergencies
Knowing defibrillator locations is equally crucial, Müller added. Those precious minutes while fetching the device can be used by other helpers performing rescue breathing or chest compressions.
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