The odds of players around the world to survive a cardiac arrest on the field increase significantly after the announcement released this May 31 that new backpacks FIFA Medical Emergency (FMEB, for its acronym in English) will be distributed by the 209 member associations.
During the presentation of the backpack FMEB congressional delegates, the FIFA Chief Medical Officer, Professor Ji?í Dvo?ák, also stated that medical staff will be trained and first aid foot field to use this life-saving technology. The key element is FMEB automated external defibrillator (AED), clearly visible in a transparent pocket on the front of the pack. This portable device can diagnose heart problems in situ, and defibrillation can be started immediately if the heartbeat is weak, irregular or absent. The pack also contains a video with instructions and a medical emergency kit.
"The global use of defibrillators is one of the main priorities of FIFA in our efforts to prevent deaths from cardiac arrest on the pitch," said Michel D'Hooghe, chairman of the Medical Committee of FIFA. Professor Dvorak added: "The high quality of the equipment in each of these backpacks is presented as a standard, and is a first in the world of sports. Backpacks hope the FIFA Medical Emergency teach the way for other federations sports backpacks make their own security. "
Great advances to save more livesMovingly, he reminded conference delegates the upcoming 10th anniversary of the death of Marc-Vivien Foe, midfielder Cameroon international who suffered a fatal heart attack on the pitch at the age of 28 years for a Cup game Confederations Cup 2003 played in Lyon France. Another case mentioned is that of Fabrice Muamba, who suffered a cardiac arrest while playing a match of quarter-finals of the FA Cup in March 2012. Muamba was recovered even though his heart stopped for over an hour, thanks in part to the quick action of the medical staff, who used a defibrillator in the band.
In the decade since the death of Foe, the Center for Evaluation and FIFA Medical Research (F-MARC) has collaborated with leading researchers in sports medicine to introduce new measures to combat cardiac arrest. Currently conducted medical examinations of all players in all FIFA competitions, in order to identify those more likely to suffer such problems. The F-MARC has also developed educational programs for physicians and sports doctor to provide immediate response and appropriate treatment of cardiorespiratory arrest in the critical minutes after the attack.
The life-saving medical kit is tucked inside a backpack chosen by F-MARC team after extensive research on the more rugged design. The armies of the United States and South Africa currently use a backpack model like.
In addition to being distributed among the 209 FIFA member associations, the Medical Emergency Backpacks FIFA will also be introduced foot field at all stages of the FIFA Confederations Cup in June 2013.http:// www.fifa14mart.com