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HAVE YOUR SAY OLESIA BILKEI / SHUTTERSTOCK
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Retired footballer Fabrice Muamba (right), who suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch during an FA Cup match in 2012 with Andrew Deaner (left), one of the men who saved his life
R
The importance of AEDs in sport centres
ecent years have seen automated
cardiac arrest during an FA Cup match.
With every passing minute, a victim’s
external defibrillators (AEDs)
Fabrice was saved thanks to quick access to
chances of surviving an SCA decrease by 10
become more accessible in public
a defibrillator which delivered a number of
per cent. CPR, along with the shock of an
locations across the UK. Found
shocks to his heart, ultimately saving his life.
AED can increase chances of revival from just
everywhere from train stations to football
The risk of SCA is three times greater in
6 per cent to 74 per cent if delivered within
stadiums, awareness of this device and its
competitive athletes, which is why quick
the first three to five minutes after collapse.
life-saving abilities is on the rise.
access to a defibrillator is vital to protect the
This is why the most important way
Currently, 30,000 people in the UK die
lives of those competing in sporting events.
to protect the lives of those competing
each year due to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA),
Thanks to the clever design of these
in sports isn’t with shin guards, gloves or
yet it is still not a government requirement
devices, just about anybody can use an AED
a helmet but with the investment of a
to have these devices installed in public
to save a life. Simply pressing the power
defibrillator – the only definitive treatment
locations, sport arenas or even schools.
button or opening the lid will activate the
against cardiac arrest. ●
Numerous cardiac arrests have occurred
defibrillator, initiating a sequence of visual
during sporting events, most notably in 2012
and vocal prompts to guide the user through
where Fabrice Muamba collapsed suffering
the entire rescue process.
sportsmanagement.co.uk
Francesca Wilson, Defibshop creative coordinator Issue 128 November/December 2016
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Sports Management August 2016 issue 125 Sports Management is the magazine and online community for decision-makers in the global sports faci...
Published on Dec 5, 2016
Sports Management August 2016 issue 125 Sports Management is the magazine and online community for decision-makers in the global sports faci...