MARION, Ohio (WCMH) — Acting quickly in a life or death situation. That’s exactly what happened during a boys basketball game at Marion Pleasant High School. A long time referee experienced a heart related medical emergency and staff, athletic trainers, and parents jumped into action.
Sitting in the gymnasium that is typically filled with athletes, pep bands and cheerleaders, NBC4 spoke with two healthcare providers both reflecting on on particular game that took place here in November.
“It was loud,” Dr. Heather Columber, a Family Physician with OhioHealth, recalled.
Dr. Columber was in the stands supporting her son, a member of the boys basketball team.
“All of a sudden there was a time out, the ball was going to be inbounded, and we heard a loud thud and we know someone went down,” Columber said.
That person was referee Andre Johnson. Johnson has worked as a referee throughout the state of Ohio for 25 years. Video cameras in the gymnasium were rolling as Johnson stood but later collapsed and what followed a flurry of activity. Those involved told NBC4 it felt like time slowed. In actuality this situation played out in mere minutes.
“In Pleasant there are a lot of AEDS throughout the school and one of the parents went out and grabbed one and we were able to begin using it right away,” Athletic Trainer Joe Thompson said.
Thompson and Columber worked in tandem with a school nurse and other parents to begin CPR and use the AED.
“We are professionals, and we know how to do it with all the fancy equipment in a hospital or an ambulance or whatever your career may be,” Columber said.
“But for all of you out there it’s really about following the AED. . . It gave the shock and Andre woke up.”
It’s clear the moment from being on the sidelines to losing a pulse to being revived. . . has changed not just Andre Johnson but everyone in the gymnasium that night.
“Since the situation I am an advocate for AEDs in the school buildings or any public building that we have,” Johnson said.
“The AED and knowing CPR and first aid is crucial.”
While Johnson undergoes cardiac therapy in preparation for a potential return to refereeing, he is thankful that this situation played out the way it did and those involved stepped up to save his life.
“You never know when it’s your turn to use that training to save someone’s lives ,” Johnson said tearfully.
“I just wanna say thank you to the 18 angels that saved my life.”