 Most
people remember September 14, 2002 as a day of reflection after
the anniversary of an important day in our country’s history.
For me it is the same and more. On that day, my memory was
etched with the emotions of being on that same field the
previous year, immediately following 9/11. Also on that day, I
died and was brought back to life by an automated external
defibrillator (AED), in the capable hands of an athletic
trainer, Bill McAndrews.
September 14 marked the first game of the season between Newton
North and Wellesley, two high schools in the Boston area. As
referee for the game, I knew there had to be a certified person
on the field—a nurse, athletic trainer, or emergency services
team. I had two of the three—the athletic trainer from Wellsley
and the local ambulance. As I was ready to blow my whistle to
start the game, someone ran onto the field. I remember thinking
“Who is this guy, this late?”
The man approached me and introduced himself as Bill McAndrews,
the head athletic trainer from Newton North, the visiting team.
He apologized for arriving late because he went back to his
school to retrieve a new piece of emergency equipment, an AED
(automated external defibrillator).
I knew what an AED was, and said, “Good thinking, ’cause you
never know when you’ll need it.” Who would have thought that
just over halfway into the game, it would be me.
I wasn’t myself that day. The previous night we started a game
with a coin toss, and I gave the ball to the wrong team. Where
was my focus? Friends had told me I didn’t look good for two
weeks before. I’d had pain in my teeth and throat for a few
weeks. Having had recent, extensive dental work, I thought
nothing of it. Now I know the pains were symptoms of a heart
problem.
At a post-game gathering the night before, I became suddenly ill
and blamed it on the sub sandwich I shared with my wife before
the game. In hindsight I know that I had a heart attack that
night, but at the time I thought my stomach discomfort was from
the food. Never mind the pain in my shoulder and the nausea and
sweats. There was some male denial going on. |
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The
Newton North-Wellesley game was very important to me because our
nine-year-old grandson, Alex, was to be the ball boy for the
first time. I watched him, looking up at the players who seemed
like giants to him. With pride, I saw how well he was doing. At
halftime he said, “Dat,” (his nickname for me), “this is the
happiest day of my life.”
Fifteen minutes later it was almost the worst day of his life.
Because 15 minutes later, I was down on the field, in sudden
cardiac arrest. I was dead for 21/2 minutes.
Very qualified people attended to me—an anesthesiologist,
physician and nurse, along with the ambulance crew, came forward
from the crowd to help me.
All these qualified helpers weren’t enough because they didn’t
have an AED. It was Bill McAndrews, the athletic trainer from
the visiting team, who did. Mr. McAndrews and the AED brought me
back.
 Bob
Schriever with grandson Alex on the field.
My life has changed. I work out every day now. And now it’s
diet, diet and diet. I used to be a cookie and pizza monster. No
more.
Family has even greater importance than before. Our newest
grandchild, Hallie Ann, was born on the eve of my 62nd birthday,
three weeks after I went down, and I was able to hold her in my
arms less than three hours after her birth. Alex is due here in
a few minutes. We will work a game together tonight as ref and
ball boy.
Other priorities have changed too. I owned my own business for
many years. Retirement wasn’t for me, so now I’m a
manufacturer’s rep for other companies. Let’s put it this way:
if I have a call on the line for a $100,000 deal, and another
call comes in to do something promoting AEDs for free, I take
the call for AEDs.
Some people argue against AEDs in schools, saying that children
aren’t the ones most affected by sudden cardiac arrest. I know
differently. AEDs can offer protection for everybody else on the
school’s campus, because the facilities are constantly being
used for school and community activities.
In my town, football history goes back over 100 years. I’m part
of that history. Thanks to Mr. McAndrews and AEDs, I’ll be
around to ref a few more games.
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Note:
LIFEPAK AEDs are prescription devices. AED users should be
trained in CPR and use of the AED. Please consult your
physician. Although not everyone can be saved from sudden
cardiac arrest, studies show that survival rates can be
dramatically improved with early defibrillation. For more
information, please call 1.800.442.1142 or visit
www.medtronic-ers.com.
Medtronic Emergency Response Systems • 11811
Willows Road NE • Redmond, WA 98052 • 1.800.442.1142 •
www.medtronic-ers.com
LIFEPAK is a registered trademark of Medtronic
Emergency Response Systems Inc. Medtronic is a registered
trademark of Medtronic, Inc. ©2005 Medtronic Emergency Response
Systems, Inc. MIN 3205902-000 / CAT. 26500-001988 |
