Christian Eriksen: CPR Saves Lives
Yesterday afternoon, Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch in the second game of the 2020 UEFA European Football Championships (delayed to 2021). After this, he stopped breathing, and his heart stopped beating.
In a critical few seconds, Simon Kjær, Denmark’s captain, promptly recognised the cardiac arrest and started resuscitation before medics could arrive. The decisions made in those critical few seconds are very likely to have saved Christian Eriksen’s life. He prompty recognised the arrest and started resuscitation before the medics could arise. This shows the value of everyone, in whatever role, learning CPR.
Once Eriksen was stabilised, Kjær showed what it means to be a human being, sharing with the emotions of Eriksen’s loved ones whilst they were experiencing something no one should ever go through, on camera for the world to see.
Eriksen may not play football again, but when the chance of him dying was so high, this fact pales into significance. He has had a fantastic career, has been a star for his club, and is one of Denmark’s most talented players of all time. But most importantly, he is alive to be a son, a husband, a sibling, a father.
If there can be a positive, then hopefully this event and Eriksen’s resuscitation ensures that folk are aware of CPR and, indirectly, lives around the world can be saved.
