The FIFA medical emergency bag and FIFA 11 steps to prevent sudden cardiac death: setting a global standard and promoting consistent football field emergency care

Abstract

Life-threatening medical emergencies are an infrequent but regular occurrence on the football field. Proper prevention strategies, emergency medical planning and timely access to emergency equipment are required to prevent catastrophic outcomes. In a continuing commitment to player safety during football, this paper presents the FIFA Medical Emergency Bag and FIFA 11 Steps to prevent sudden cardiac death. These recommendations are intended to create a global standard for emergency preparedness and the medical response to serious or catastrophic on-field injuries in football.

Sudden Cardiac Death in the Soccer Field: A Retrospective Study in Young Soccer Players From 2000 to 2013

“…3 Furthermore, in January 2014 FIFA launched a non-mandatory, worldwide Sudden Death Registry. Any person (physician, relatives, athletes, trainers, etc.)…”

“…2 Although fairly uncommon, medical emergencies can occur in the soccer field. 3 Of those, sudden cardiac death represents the most striking as well as the commonest cause of death. 3 SCD incidence in athletes is estimated to be 0.4 to 13 cases per 100.000 individuals per year based on prospective 4,5 and retrospective 6,7 studies.…”

“…3 Of those, sudden cardiac death represents the most striking as well as the commonest cause of death. 3 SCD incidence in athletes is estimated to be 0.4 to 13 cases per 100.000 individuals per year based on prospective 4,5 and retrospective 6,7 studies. In general, the risk of SCD in athletes is approximately 2.5 times greater than in non-athletes, 4,8 with men being 10 times more likely than females to have a SCD event.…”

FIFA Diploma in Football Medicine: free knowledge from expert clinicians to improve sports medicine care for all football players (continuing professional development series)

“…Each football player around the globe sustains an average of one injury per year 2. Applying the lessons and experience from F-MARC's comprehensive research over the past 20 years should make it possible to reduce the risk of injury (eg, FIFA 11+ injury prevention implementation)3 and improve injury management, potentially helping to save lives (eg, managing sudden cardiac arrest more effectively) 4…”

Medical Coverage of Cricket Matches

“…Different sports have varying medical requirements [4][5][6] from very high level resuscitative and diagnostic equipment, to the presence of medical responders with basic equipment. This paper looks at minimum medical requirements at international matches, and proposes minimum standards for other grades, in the scenario that all resources are not available.…”