Bernard Leenstra (founder Schok & Pomp) on the Nouri case: 'We can all learn from this'

Source: EenVandaag See: https://eenvandaag.avrotros.nl/item/arts-over-reanimatie-nouri-hier-moeten-we-van-leren/

When in doubt, always take action, advocates physician and associate professor Bernard Leenstra. He sees it as his mission to provide as many Dutch people as possible with adequate knowledge about life-saving action. According to Leenstra, the spread of knowledge about CPR is badly needed, even among professionals.

The treatment of soccer player Abdelhak Nouri is reviving the discussion surrounding CPR. The player collapsed during a practice match in Austria in the summer of 2017, suffering permanent brain damage. Ajax acknowledges mistakes were made in the initial treatment on the pitch. According to the club, the caretakers did not act appropriately and waited too long with CPR.

Signals difficult to recognize

"Some signs are very difficult to recognize, even for healthcare professionals," Leenstra said. During a heart attack, reflexes may occur that make it appear as if someone is gasping for air, called "gasping. Meanwhile, the heart has already stopped beating but it appears as if someone is still breathing, causing CPR to be waited for.

If the brain is deprived of oxygenated blood for too long, five to 10 minutes, there is a very good chance of permanent brain damage, as is the case with Nouri. According to Leenstra, there is no general ignorance among medical personnel. "In the case of Nouri there is a sad exception that we all have to learn from."

Doctors need to keep training

With his company 'Schok & Pomp', Leenstra provides simple training courses to teach laymen and professionals how to act appropriately in heart failure. Actions such as puncturing blisters, sticking plasters or putting on a sling have been removed from the program. "I advocate that both lay people and professionals continue to train every year to keep their skills up to date. It's not swimming or cycling; if you don't keep up, it disappears from your system," Leenstra said.

Ajax director Edwin van der Sar emphasized following Nouri's treatment that he endorses the importance of education about CPR. "We want to turn these experiences into learning points for everyone who deals with the health of footballers in the Netherlands such as club doctors and physiotherapists. It is important for everyone to know how to act when a player just collapses on the field. We need to train people better in this area down to the amateur level."