Shock treatment in football
SIX months after his onfield ‘death’, Geoff Brogan has a starring role in a new programme tailormade to save the lives of fellow footballers.
All football clubs around the country can expect in the next three years the installation of a defibrillator designed to shock the heart back into life after cardiac arrest.
The first 60 clubs will receive theirs this year after New Zealand Football and the ACC entered into a partnership to provide the automated external devices (AEDs). The intention is to have all 500 clubs equipped with the devices by 2019.
Brogan, who was brought back to life on field after going into cardiac arrest at a friendly football game in January, features in a video which will be distributed with each AED.
Such a device saved his life; now he is delighted to see their planned introduction at clubs around the country.
‘‘I think it’s fantastic. It’s a brilliant outcome, not just for football, but in raising awareness for the general public,’’ Brogan said.
‘‘This is one way of the community responding to the need for the provision of defibrillators in public places.’’
Thrilled too is Professor Harvey White, director of coronary care at PETER MEECHAM / FAIRFAX NZ
‘ It's a brilliant outcome, not just for football.’ GEOFF BROGAN
Auckland City Hospital.
White has long campaigned for more defibrillators in public places. ’’This is fantastic for football players, coaches and spectators,’’ he said.
‘‘The close relationship with ACC will save lives, and also sends a powerful message to other organisations that there should be more AEDs.’’
AED shocks before the arrival of an ambulance doubles a victim’s chance of survival, White said.
Brogan has made a full recovery and is now back playing at his Western Springs club. As part of the video promotion, he gathered with his mates at the club last week where they reminisced about what he calls ‘‘my event’’.
White says his campaign has a long way to go yet. ‘‘We now have nearly 5000 AEDs, but we need 10,000.’’