Doctors who provided first aid to Crotone goalkeeper Caio Secco reveal they had to use a defibrillator, as he was not breathing.
Doctors who provided first aid to Crotone goalkeeper Caio Secco reveal they had to use a defibrillator, as he was not breathing.
The shot-stopper was knocked unconscious in an accidental collision and for seven minutes the Serie B game was stopped as he was stabilised and loaded into an ambulance.
Until now it has been suggested he was only unconscious for one minute, but the Crotone medical staff confirm it was an extremely serious incident.
“When I approached him, Secco was not breathing,” Francesco Polimeno told alfredopedulla.com.
“I initially tried to stimulate him with my voice and a slap on the face, but he was not responding. At that point I proceeded to ensure his airways were clear to avoid him swallowing his tongue, then checked he had a pulse.
“With help from the doctors around me and the Pescara chief medic, I sliced open his shirt with scissors and applied the defibrillator.
“His heart was beating, so we used it only in the first phase, which is to evaluate the cardiac activity and did not need to use a charge. However, just applying it on his chest reassured me, as if the heartbeat had stopped the charge would’ve been immediate.
“He didn’t remember what happened and had a cut to his jawbone, but that evening he already felt better. This morning I visited him in hospital and he may well be released today.”
The game was between Crotone and Pescara, bringing back memories of the tragic death of Livorno midfielder Piermario Morosini in April 2012, which was also against Pescara.
“Many things have improved since then, as now all clubs need a defibrillator on the touchline. Crotone have five in the stadium.”