How to perform cardiac massage, the first aid that saved Eriksen's life

Danish player Christian Eriksen collapsed in the middle of a match on Saturday, causing immense emotion on the second day of the Euro. The match was immediately interrupted, the medical supervision of the Danish team then intervened, quickly joined by the medical services of the tournament. The player, who fortunately regained consciousness, was then transported "awake" to a hospital in Copenhagen. Monday on Europe 1, doctor Jimmy Mohamed recalls the basics of cardiac massage, a gesture that can save life. 

“On Saturday many talked about heart disease, but that term doesn't mean much. It doesn't actually correspond to any clearly identified pathology. The only thing to remember is that anyone who is unconscious and not breathing pas should be considered in cardiac arrest until proven guilty There is no need to check for the pulse, as you may panic that you will not be able to take it and lose precious seconds.

Strong pressure on the breastbone

The first thing to do in such a situation is to notify the emergency services, namely on the 18th or 15th, and if possible send someone to fetch a defibrillator.

We then begin the cardiac massage, gesture which certainly saved Christian Eriksen.

It is not necessary to go there four ways and start this massage immediately.

I remind you that you should not put the victim in a lateral safety position.

You lay flat on her back, undress her by opening her shirt or raising the t-shirt and you begin to massage.

>> Find Jimmy Mohamed's column every morning at 8:37 am on Europe 1 as well as in replay and podcast here

To do this, you have to put the palm of your hand on the victim's chest and then cover it with your other hand, while having the shoulders well above, arms outstretched.

You must compress vertically by pushing your arms into the sternum, the bone in the middle of the ribs, 6 cm deep.

The goal is to create a strong pressure to restart the heart.

One minute without massage = 10% less life expectancy

Some people fear hurting or even breaking ribs. I reassure you, this is almost a myth: unless you have the strength of Mike Tyson, there is little chance that it will happen. You have to massage at a fairly sustained rate, 100 pressures per minute. It is a very physical effort and so do not hesitate to take turns every two minutes. A figure to raise awareness of the urgency: each minute without cardiac massage represents 10% less life expectancy. It is therefore crucial to be trained in first aid measures, which can save the life of a stranger or that of a loved one. The Red Cross, civil protection and firefighters offer training in life-saving actions.