Thanks to the quick intervention of the Magen David Adom (MDA) team, the life of an Australian athlete at the 21st Maccabiah Games was saved Sunday.
During a soccer match between Australia and Colombia in the Masters’ Tournament for athletes 55 and over, the MDA team assigned to the match recognized unusual body language as an athlete walked toward the bench. By the time he collapsed on the grass, the MDA team was there and began CPR with electric shocks from a defibrillator. Within a few minutes, the Australian, 55, was evacuated to Laniado Hospital in Netanya, fully conscious and communicative.
“The player was treated immediately by MDA teams present at the scene and was then taken in stable condition and conscious to Laniado Hospital,” said organizers of the Maccabiah games. At the hospital he underwent a series of lifesaving procedures and is recovering in the intensive care unit.
For many years, Magen David Adom has been medically securing the Maccabiah events held in Israel. The thousands of EMTs and paramedics covering this year’s event, which began July 14th, underwent a series of training exercises to prepare for the medical coverage of tens of thousands of participants and spectators, including some 10,000 athletes from 58 countries.
MDA placed special emphasis on open-air competitions, including this soccer stadium, where people could be particularly affected by the hot weather.
“For many years, MDA has been securing the Maccabiah Games,” said Eli Bin, Director-General of MDA. “I am proud of the high level of alertness the team members showed by their keen observation and speed to the scene, resulting in another life saved.”