There is a defibrillator inside the clubhouse which could be lifesaving in the event of someone collapsing, as we witnessed in the Euro games when Denmark played their first game.
Use of the defibrillator is straightforward but we urge you to watch the short video produced by the London Ambulance Service which is clear and goes through the operation step by step. It also demonstrates CPR for those not familiar with this.
ASSESS THE SITUATION
Check to see if they are responsive and breathing. If not, ask a helper to dial 999. Ask the helper to bring the defibrillator.
If you are on your own with the casualty do not leave them but dial 999 and put your phone on speaker so that the emergency services can support you throughout the resuscitation process. Do not get the defibrillator yourself but commence CPR immediately.
CPR
- Lay the casualty on their back and tip their chin up to open the airway
- Commence CPR while speaking to ambulance control
- Kneel by the casualty and put the heel of your hand on the centre of their chest
- Put your other hand on top of the first and interlock your fingers
- Lock your elbows straight, lean over the casualty and start compressions
- Press down to a depth of about 5-6 cms before releasing the pressure to allow the chest to come back up
- Repeat the compressions 30 times at a rate of 100-120 compressions a minute
- The beat of the song ’Staying Alive’ will give you the right rhythm
- After 30 compressions you may want to give two rescue breaths (during COVID you may not want to do this unless you have a face mask through which to do it. If you do not, then continue with chest compressions)
RESCUE BREATHS
- Open the airway by placing one hand on the forehead to tilt the head back and use two fingers from the other hand to lift the chin
- Take the hand from the forehead and pinch the soft part of the nose closed
- With the head still tilted take a breath in and place your mouth over the casualty’s forming a seal. Blow into their mouth for 1 second until the chest rises
- Take your mouth away and watch the chest fall. Repeat this once then continue with chest compressions
- If you are not trained and do not feel comfortable performing rescue breaths, then continue with chest compressions until help arrives or a defibrillator is brought
DEFIBRILLATOR
- If the helper arrives with the defibrillator, then continue chest compressions whilst they open the defibrillator case
- Press the ‘ON’ switch on the defibrillator, locate the pads which are attached to the machine by a wire, and follow the clear verbal instructions until help arrives
- Under instruction you will continue compressions alternating with shocks to the heart from the defibrillator. You do not need to make decisions about what to do as the defibrillator knows if and when the heart needs shocking and will instruct you exactly how to do things
- DO NOT PANIC – the instructions are very clear