Public urged to refresh CPR skills following footballer's cardiac arrest

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Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has encouraged the public to learn about CPR and refresh First Aid skills, with the city-region’s firefighters doing the same.

Some at Mossley fire station in Tameside practiced CPR during a routine training exercise on Monday 14th June following international footballer Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest during Denmark's Euro 2020 game against Finland on Saturday.

Eriksen received emergency medical treatment on the pitch before being taken to hospital – thankfully, the 29-year-old is currently stable and has sent a message to his team-mates.

Dave Russel, Chief Fire Officer at GMFRS, said: 

“I’m a Blackburn Rovers season ticket holder and like so many football fans was shocked and upset by Christian Eriksen falling ill during the game on Saturday. As an emergency service our thoughts are with him, his family and friends as he begins his recovery."

We have since spoken with Astley Mulholland, a footballer who has played for FC United of Manchester amongst others. He added: 

"My brother passed away from a cardiac arrest and it’s becoming more common.

"I think there should be cpr and defib training definitely I think it should be in schools start it if from the bottom and take it in further."

North West Ambulance Service’s Interim Head of Service for Greater Manchester, Dan Smith, added this in a press release: 

“It’s great to see Greater Manchester firefighters take the initiative and refresh their CPR skills following the harrowing scenes in Denmark on Saturday.

“We would encourage everyone to learn CPR and other first-aid skills, as you never know if you might need to provide life-saving treatment to a family member, friend or even a stranger in an emergency.

If you come across someone in cardiac arrest, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service are encouraging the public to think 'DRS ABC'.

  • Danger – keep calm and check the scene is safe to approach
  • Response – shout “are you alright?” and shake the person’s shoulders
  • Shout for help– send someone for help and call 999
  • Airway – tilt the head back gently to open the airway
  • Breathing – check for normal breathing by looking at the chest to see if it is rising and falling or listening for abnormal sounds such as infrequent and noisy gasps
  • Compressions – if the patient is not breathing normally, start hands only CPR pushing hard and fast in the centre of the chest.

If you are taking part in an activity such as playing competitive sport, it is important to know where the nearest defibrillator is before taking part. You can find your nearest defibrillator here.

If there is a defibrillator nearby send someone to get it. You do not need prior knowledge of how to use one as it will give clear instructions. It could save someone’s life.

If CPR is required, the instructions to follow are:

  • Kneel at the side of the patient
  • Put the heel of your hand in the centre of the chest with the other hand on top*
  • Keep your arms straight and elbows locked
  • Push down hard and fast – twice per second
  • Let the chest come back up before you press down again
  • *Use one hand for a child and two fingers for a baby 

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