EUROS 20: Learning from how prompt CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) saved Christian Erikson Life
I should have put up this post earlier but recently circumstances over here have not been so favorable. My phone screen got bad and I've been running around to fix it.
Glad to be back though. I trust we are all enjoying the Euros so far as we have recorded some really exciting moments like the goal scored by Yarmolenko of Ukraine in the recent match yesterday between Netherlands vs Ukraine.
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Still on the matter of moments, a life and death moment though was seen in the match between Denmark and Finland when Christian Eriksen of Denmark (one of the star players to watch in the tournament) collapsed on the pitch with no one around him just minutes before half-time.
The Inter Milan midfielder stumbled forward in the 43rd minute and then fell as Thomas Delaney looked to throw the ball towards him in the Group B fixture.
The game was stopped and the players signaled the medical team to come onto the pitch to attend to him but in order to check if he was okay, his teammates gathered around him and one [Simon Kjaer] tried to stick his fingers in his mouth to clear his airway, or to see if he had swallowed his tongue which was an excellent action in the circumstances.
Before the medics soon rushed to the scene, his teammates tried to help him by pumping his chest and performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
The Denmark players in tears as medical staff tried to revive Erikson by administering CPR. They were so concerned that they formed a ring around the unconscious Eriksen and began praying for him while the doctors worked on reviving him.
Christian Eriksen's wife, Sabrina Kvist Jensen, was so distressed that see rushed down to the touchline, so worried for her husband's health. She was consoled by Denmark players Simon Kjaer and Kasper Schmeichel.
After receiving medical treatment on the field for over 10 minutes, the Denmark midfielder was stretched off the field and taken to the closest hospital to the stadium.
The match was subsequently suspended.
It was to be restarted at 7.30pm at the request of players from both teams according to an update by UEFA.
Finland won the game 1-0 after it was resumed, with Joel Pohjanpalo heading home the only goal on the hour mark (60 mins).
Denmark had the opportunity to level the score 12 minutes later with a penalty but Tottenham's Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg had his effort saved by Lukas Hradecky.
This incident was truly traumatizing to the players, the fans and to me as well, who holds Erikson in very high regard as one of my favorite midfielders.
A big thumbs up to the English referee Anthony Taylor for stopping the game and signaling medics, the Danish Players for their resuscitation actions, the medical team for their prompt actions which all played a vital role in ensuring Erikson's survival.
Is Christian Eriksen okay?
The Danish team doctor Morten Boesen said that Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest when he collapsed and that "He was gone." but with prompt attention he was resuscitated.
The Danish Football Association gave an update on Twitter yesterday saying -----
"This morning we have spoken to Christian Eriksen, who has sent his greetings to his teammates, His condition is stable, and he continues to be hospitalized for further examination."
Eriksen is currently being treated at Rigshospitalet, one of Denmark's top cardiac centers, which is close to the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen.
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In Conclusion,
A Cardiac Arrest could happen anywhere, anytime without warning.
It could happen when playing football on the street or on the field with friends or when eating in a restaurant.
As a medical student I was well and truly relieved that the world got to see what happens when a football player gets a cardiac arrest and that with prompt and focused actions by anybody who knows the basic things to do and is close by, it is something that one can survive as was the case with Christian Erikson.
So in my next post, I intend to share my medical knowledge on how to react if you come across any case that will require CPR.
You might just save a life.
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This was truly quite an unfortunate event.
I really commend the efforts of the referee (Anthory Taylor) for his swift reaction and response towards the situation.
Some referees could have taken forever which could have led to a misfortune.
Still, my prayers are with him buddy.
Nice post, waiting on the next.
Truly. Most times we are often quick to criticize referees but I think Anthony Taylor should be praised for quickly recognizing the situation and stopping play immediately.
Thank you for your compliment. The next post is coming up soon.