Disaster....in schoolboy football.

[Willi]

StGC captain Domimic Jmames collapsed on the field and died after being taken to hospital. He was transfer from JC and indeed was the winning U-14 Captain for them.

My heart goes out to his parent for this unthinkable tragedy.

[Don1]

This is beyond tragic. Words can't really fully express the sorrow.

Condolences to his family, friends, the St George's & JC communities and the whole schoolboy football movement.

[Time]

StGC captain Domimic Jmames collapsed on the field and died after being taken to hospital. He was transfer from JC and indeed was the winning U-14 Captain for them.

My heart goes out to his parent for this unthinkable tragedy.

I just heard. So Sad. Apparently the both teams are aware and are crying. I feel it as father. RIP.

[Bricktop]

and no medical staff or ambulance in sight...but FLOW spending millions on fireworks show...pathetic...

[Islandman]

Heartbreaking news.

[Reggaedoc]

and no medical staff or ambulance in sight...but FLOW spending millions on fireworks show...pathetic...

Agree. That should be a requirement at all games. Are all players cleared medically each year prior to the start of the season and required to submit a medical cert to ISSA prior to the start of the season?. I am not suggesting that that will be a 100% guarantee but that would be a start.

[Twan]

and no medical staff or ambulance in sight...but FLOW spending millions on fireworks show...pathetic...

2 doctors were on site, no ambulance

[Reggaedoc]

As spectators or on standby for emergencies?. Big difference. If there for enegencies then they would be prepared for acute events like asthma attacks, seizures, shoulder dislocations etc, all of which can be taken care of immediately, there and then without great technology. Also having a facemask, oxygen, an oral airway and an ambu bag can be lifesaving of a nurse is on hand. They must make provisions for these at the games. At least one person trained in CPR(BLS) should be at every game before whistle.

[Willi]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcZM90vJdeg

[Willi]

Agreed.

[Time]

Agreed.

Dr Alexander, clearly shaken by the tragedy, pleaded with the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) to provide proper medical assistance at games.
“It’s not just oxygen, we’re talking the basic resuscitation kit or even an Ambu bag. Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation won’t help. CPR, maybe yes, but that alone won’t help, because after CPR you need backup equipment for the basic support of life, and oxygen included,” said Dr Alexander.

(They did not have a stretcher to put him on and no ambulance ! If we cannot afford a proper ambulance then get we at least get a police vehicle with emergency lights? )

[Bricktop]

they need fully equipped paramedics at each game...FLOW sponsors the league so no excuse why they can't...

[Willi]

We neither have the number of EMT personnel nor the number of ambulances. There are 120 senior school football teams and potentially 60 games per day. Of course due to the sceduling, its more like 30 games simultaneously. However, what about Colts and Pepsi... are they children of a lesser God. What about basketball and rugby and cricket and netball and swimming and, and, and! Then what about those resources for the general population, whose MUCH vaster number means they statistically will have more need for the services in this timeframe? Do we have ambulances sitting idly for low probability events while taxpayers die due to diverted critical resources?

Lets face it, our bruk Pocket status limits our options. We just have to accept certain risks as reality forces us to deal with that.

[Willi]

We need to focus on the low hanging fruit, the art of the possible. What about stretchers, tongue depressors and proper training in CPR for the support staffs. What about pooling medical resources? The focus is to maintain life for at least 20mins. Dont expect an ambulance before then. Also KGN is a traffic nightmare, so take travel time both ways into account.

Having defibs ($800usd cost) and other fancy gear in the schoolbus at every game is a recipe for THEFT, if security arrangements are lax. Just keeping it real. (I wont even mention maintenance costs, as we Jamaicans usually think only of raising the purchase price one time, as if things last forever, especially when used in a rugged environment)

If we really want something workable, we have to think budget and think outta the box.

[Islandman]

On point Willi, good analysis.