Forum: Marathon participants should learn CPR to help save lives
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I took part in the recent Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2024, and was shocked and saddened by the unexpected death of a fellow marathoner ( Race participant dies at Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon,
According to a study published in 2012 that studied 10.9 million marathoners over a 10-year period, 59 runners had cardiac arrest, making the risk 0.54 per 100,000 participants. Of those 59 people, 42 (71 per cent) died.
If any runner happens to have a cardiac arrest during the race, the best chance of survival for him would be to have a fellow runner administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Initiation of CPR, with the timely use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), is associated with better survival odds.
There would be a delay if the collapsed runner has to wait for a first aid team to arrive. In a cardiac arrest, every second counts.
Many organisations, such as the Singapore Red Cross Academy, St John Brigade and People’s Association, offer free or low-cost CPR and AED courses.
To improve survival rates among all runners, participants in major endurance sports events, such as marathons and triathlons, should be strongly encouraged to undergo CPR and AED training.
If participants are trained in basic cardiac life support, events would be safer for everyone.
Desmond Wai (Dr)
