Former Newcastle and Tottenham player David Ginola was in studio with Sky Sports for today's suspended game.
David Ginola suffered cardiac arrest and entered a coma in 2016.
He was playing a charity football match in the South of France. Fellow footballer Frederic Mendy gave administered CPR and a team of medics arrived with a defibrillator minutes later. The ambulance and Mendy saved Ginola's life. It took five shocks over 10 minutes to restore his heart rhythm.
A helicopter airlifted Ginola to a hospital where he underwent surgery for six hours.
Ginola would have died without Mendy's CPR and the defibrillator.
Coincidentally, Ginola was in studio with Sky Sports for the game between his two former clubs. The game was suspended with five minutes left in the first half after Sergio Reguilon alerted the referee to a fan who had collapsed in the crowd.
Eric Dier called for a defibrillator from the bench and the players left the field. The stricken fan was stabilized and brought to the hospital before the game was restarted.
As the treatment was being administered, Ginola spoke at length in the studio.
"It is vital."
David Ginola discusses the importance of having equipment like defibrillators at football stadiums after play was halted at St James Park in the 41st minute due to a medical emergency in stands. pic.twitter.com/mRlz2DjyUv
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 17, 2021
"When you do your coaching badges, it's compulsory that you do your first-aid."
David Ginola and Kieron Dyer discuss the importance of being trained in giving CPR after an incident during #NEWTOT. pic.twitter.com/9fQe43hDko
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 17, 2021
"This is what saved my life – I was dead for 12 minutes."
Sky Sports guest David Ginola talks about the importance of CPR – something which saved his life when he collapsed during a charity game in 2016. pic.twitter.com/vfvYczR7k2
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 17, 2021
Ginola encouraged everyone to learn CPR for situations such as this one. He previously did a segment for Sky Sports with Jamie Carragher where he taught viewers how to administer CPR.
"The one who saved your life were the ones with you on the pitch, the ones who gave you CPR."
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