PORT ADELAIDE list manager Jason Cripps is slowly bouncing back from a sudden cardiac arrest suffered earlier this year, but says the little awareness of the disorer remains a major problem in Australia.
A sudden cardiac arrest – often confused with a heart attack - can happen at any time, anywhere and is the leading cause of death in Australia, affecting 33,000 people each year.
It occurs when the heart’s electrical system malfunctions and causes the natural rhythm of the heart to become rapid, chaotic or both, leading to a failure to pump blood properly.
This deprives the body’s other vital organs of oxygen and causes the victim to collapse.
The longer the heart fails to function, the risk of serious damage to the victim, mainly in the form of brain damage, dramatically increases.
Cripps collapsed while running with colleagues in Perth in June, but was fortunately aided by fellow recruiters from both the Power, and Richmond, as well as a nearby doctor.
He was one of the lucky ones who were able to receive excellent first aid and CPR, but many do not.
It’s a long road to recovery for ‘Crippa’, but he plans to work through his rehabilitation properly.
Unable to drive until the new year, Cripps described as a “blessing” the chance to take the slow journey through rehabilitation with the club’s support.
While he will take a back seat through the forthcoming trade and free agency period, he’ll be abreast of every move the Power makes through recruiter and pro scout Chris Drain and general manager of football Chris Davies.
“It was always stated that it would be a six-month recovery and I’ve been having regular check-ups with the specialist in Melbourne,” Cripps told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“It’s just a matter of progressing slowly and getting back to some normality.
“I haven’t really been doing a hell of a lot, the plan of attack is to be back up and running for the start of next season full-time. Everything until then is just a gradual process.
“I have been involved behind-the-scenes, sitting on meeting and phone link-ups, and talk regularly with the recruiting guys, Kenny [Hinkley] and Chris Davies, so I’m across anything, but in the background.”
The first six months after the SCA are a walk through the unknown for Cripps, but he has found support in those who have suffered similar scares.
Through Anne Holland of Defib First, Jason was able to gain valuable insight into life after a sudden cardiac arrest to aid his recuperation.
And he is getting behind Defib First’s ‘Shocktober’ Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness month, which will feature a ‘Shock Around the Clock’ Gala Dinner at Crown Towers on 9 October.
‘Shocktober’ and the gala dinner will elevate the issue of SCA in the community and the importance of having access to defibrillators and adequate training in public spaces.
“Anne put me in touch with others who’ve been through the same thing as me, and to be able to get support from them and hear how they progressed through their recovery,” Cripps said.
“She also explained to me that cardiac arrest is 590 times more likely than a fire-related fatality, yet we’ve got fire extinguishers, fire evacuation plans in workplaces and public spaces and no automatic external defibrillators
“The fact that the cardiac arrest can happen really quickly anywhere, the ability to have AEDs available for people to provide that assistance is important.
“I’m lucky that I had a doctor walking past, really good CPR, was able to get in an ambulance to a hospital really quickly, not everyone does.”
More information on severe cardiac arrest and the Shock Around the Clock’ Gala Dinner at Crown Towers on 9 October can be found at www.defibfirst.com.au.
