Athletic Trainer and AED Save Referee’s Life During Georgetown Game

A 45-year-old basketball referee, Chad Beswick, is still in recovery after suffering a heart attack on the court in early June. His survival is largely attributed to the quick response of Georgetown’s athletic trainer and the availability of a defibrillator.

The incident occurred during a high school basketball camp at Georgetown University. Beswick collapsed while officiating a game, and Georgetown men's basketball coach Ed Cooley witnessed the emergency unfold.

"I was right on the floor, across the court. He was coming up the left side of the floor and you heard a collapse."

Reacting swiftly, Cooley called the team’s Athletic Trainer, Ben Reisz, into action. Reisz recounted the critical moments:

"Just kind of thought worst case scenario, and I grabbed our crash bag that we have with our staff Athletic Trainers here. [I was] rushing down to McDonough Gym, run in and just see this ref laying on his side."

Upon reaching Beswick, Reisz found him unresponsive, not breathing, and without a pulse. He immediately applied the AED and began chest compressions.

"The first thing you want to do is get your AED on as soon as possible."

DC Fire & EMS medics arrived within minutes. Alfred Williams, a responding firefighter, praised the quick use of the AED.

"When I got there, they were doing CPR. I told them to stop for a minute so I could hear what the AED was going to say, and it didn’t say continue CPR. I’m looking and I see him start breathing. That was a good sign, I was like phew."

Beswick was transported to the hospital after the major heart attack. 

"I remember that I was going to referee two basketball games and come home, and I just remember the first game of the day. I don’t remember anything getting onto that court the second time."

Beswick's recovery has been promising.

"The doctor tells me I’ve got 50 more years before I have to worry about my heart again. I started to understand real quickly to be really grateful for the fact that I was still here."

Reisz emphasized the importance of immediate AED use:

"The quicker you can get an AED on somebody that’s having a cardiac event, is a lifesaver."

Coach Cooley echoed this sentiment:

"If Ben wasn’t here that day, I don’t know what Chad is doing."

DC Fire & EMS medics highlighted the importance of having AEDs in public places.

"They should be everywhere. It’s real simple, but I think everybody should learn how to use it."

Reisz reflected on the event:

"I’ve got a feeling this is one of those things where we’re going to have a special bond probably for the rest of both of our lives."

Beswick's story underscores the critical role of AEDs and trained responders like Athletic Trainers in saving lives.

Full story here!