A quick response helped save a man's life this week in Rockland County.

The effort by Tappan Zee High School athletic trainer Jess Lappe and two students saved a referee's life during a lacrosse scrimmage on Tuesday.

That man was said to have suffered a heart attack and had lost his pulse for at least a minute.

The first person to spring into action was FDNY Lt. Jimmy Sanchez, who was watching his kids play when he saw the referee go down.

The first responder from Blauvelt went into lifesaving mode alongside Lappe to resuscitate the referee with an AED.

Two high school seniors were weeks into a program shadowing Lappe, when they got an experience they'll never forget.

"It was a wild experience, and I'm just happy I was in the right place at the right time and was able to make a difference," says Christian Florencia, of Tappan Zee High School.

On top of having the right knowledge and tools, Lappe credits one more thing.

"I can only attribute it to God because I planned and I planned, and we were ready," says Lappe.

News 12 is told the referee is in stable condition at Nyack Hospital.