Southern Tier Soccer coach Andrew Pihlblad says he would have died if not for the quick actions of Wilson soccer coach Paul Herrmann and several Wilson spectators.
Coach Herrmann, who is also the Computer Technology teacher at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center, says it was during the second half of the June 4th match-up at Wilson High School when he noticed Pihblad laying on the side of the field. “He was facedown and not moving. He looked like he was having a seizure and not breathing. I yelled to my son Keegan to call 911 and I yelled for help. I realized he was in a very bad place immediately.”
Several people including Corey Harmon, nurse Tara Johnson and former student Morgan McInnis raced to Pihlblad’s side and began administering CPR. School secretary Claire Simpson rushed into the high school to grab the AED. “911 talked us through it and I somehow was able to stay calm and do what needed to be done thanks to the training we do,” says Herrmann. “I can’t tell you how relieved I was when the EMTs showed up and he woke up. I just kept thinking Thank God. It was so crazy and after it was over, I couldn’t stop crying. I get goosebumps now talking about it.”
Paramedics arrived on the scene shortly after, transporting Pihlblad to Buffalo General, where he was released a week later. “I would have died without the CPR and the AED,” says Pihlblad. “I wouldn’t be here without their actions. I can’t thank them all enough.” Coach Herrmann says he plans to create a team bonding activity for his players centered around learning CPR. “I think it was a very sobering moment for all of us and just goes to show how important it is to learn this skill. You can literally save someone’s life.”