This evening, my soccer team competed in the finals for the over-62 League Championship. We played in South Weymouth, where the air temperature was 84F plus an additional 5-10 degrees that artificial turf fields contribute to the ambient temperature near the ground. About 8 minutes into the game, a player from the opposing team collapsed on the field, having suffered a heart attack. He had no pulse and was starting to turn ashen. Fortunately, one of my teammates is a doctor and immediately took charge of the situation. He barked out orders between breaths as he administered mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. He directed one person to begin CPR, a second to fetch the portable defibrillator we carry with us, a third to call 911, and the rest of us to form a human shade umbrella to keep the sun off him. Within 2-3 minutes the defibrillator was connected and triggered which restarted his heart. His eyes popped open and he became responsive. Ten minutes later, the ambulance and EMTs arrived and took over. It was a very sobering moment for everyone. There is no doubt in my mind that this guy would be dead now if not for the expertise of our doctor, immediate availability of a defibrillator, and the teamwork of all who cared for him.

Both teams agreed to terminate the match and were declared co-champions. We finished the season the an undefeated 10-0-1 record. Not too shabby.

UPDATE:

Leo, the player who collapsed, is going to make a full recovery.