Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) can happen anywhere, anytime and usually causes death if not treated within minutes. Knowing how to deal with it is a key skill of all Members of The Society of Sports Therapists. But is now time for all team sports players, athletes and coaches to follow the lead of Danish football player Simon Kjaer, and be trained in Emergency First Aid and Basic Life Support (BLS) skills?
Danish footballer Christian Eriksen was fortunate to have expert medical help on hand, following his sudden cardiac arrest in the European Cup 2020 game against Finland. Thankfully, he also had the benefit of his quick- thinking Danish captain Kjaer, who cleared Eriksen’s airway and started CPR, which all undoubtedly combined to save his life.
Unfortunately, many are not so lucky. SCA is not confined to sport, indeed 12 young people under the age of 35 die every week as a result of undiagnosed heart conditions1. However, the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) approximately doubles during physical activity and is 2- to 3 times higher in athletes compared to nonathletes2.
The Society of Sports Therapists has always recognised the importance of being trained in CPR and Basic Life Support. Every year Members of The Society must show evidence that they have a valid CPR and First Aid certificate. This applies if someone is just joining the organisation, or has been a Member for one year or twenty years – if passing a recognised, certificated course cannot be evidenced or is out of date, membership will not be renewed.
Professor Graham N. Smith, Chair of The Society of Sports Therapists feels more work needs to be done across all sports. He said:
‘When the Society was formed back in 1990, a young child had not long previously died on a football pitch, because there was no-one present to give him life-saving help. We realised there was an urgent and growing need to have trained therapists not just for elite sport but at all levels of the sporting spectrum.
‘Now in 2021 we know that professional sport, in general, is well supported by highly trained medical staff and most venues are well equipped with first aid, including defibrillators.
However, it is what is happening at grass roots level that needs to be examined to ensure that there is advice and support across every sport not just the wealthy few.
Professor Smith makes a number of suggestions:
- ‘If you play sport, whatever the level, undertake a recognised and certificated Emergency First Aid course that includes CPR and use of a defibrillator. Be inspired by Denmark’s Simon Kjaer’s example.
- All coaches, whatever the sport, should hold a valid Basic First Aid qualification before they are allowed to take charge of a team or group. If held already, their training should be up to date and they should undertake refresher courses and re-accreditation when required.
- If you are a volunteer, perhaps a mum or dad taking your child’s team, this applies to you too.’
‘I also believe that all sports governing bodies should revisit and tighten up their regulations on First Aid and CPR, regularly.
‘Remember, Sudden Cardiac Arrest can happen anywhere, anytime, regardless of how fit you are. Speed of action and knowing what to do is key. Survival is time limited once SCA strikes.’
References
2 Sudden cardiac death in athletes
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24350833/
Additional Information
Justin Edinburgh 3 Foundation https://je3foundation.com
The Oliver King Foundation https://theoliverkingfoundation.co.uk