A BELFAST footballer who suffered a cardiac arrest during a match has paid tribute to his team-mates and emergency services who saved his life.
Brendan Dorrian (33) collapsed on the pitch on July 11 last year as he played for Crumlin United. A fit young man, his life hung in the balance after his sudden collapse as members of his team ran to his aid.
Mr Dorrian said goalkeeper Martin McDevitt acted swiftly and administered CPR and used the club's defibrillator, until emergency services arrived, which prevented his heart from stopping.
The Air Ambulance arrived, carrying the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service Team (HEMS), and landed on the pitch where they treated Mr Dorrian.
"The work of the people at the pitch and the air ambulance that day basically kept me alive and it is something I will always be grateful for," he said.
His experience was similar to that of Danish footballer Christian Eriksen, who collapsed during his country's Euro 2020 game against Finland last month and had to be resuscitated before being taken to hospital.
Mr Dorrian was transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast where he remained in intensive care for a few days. Medical tests later revealed he had an underlying heart condition called Alcapa.
In September, he underwent open heart surgery and was later fitted with a personal defibrillator. He remained in hospital until October.
Glenn O'Rorke, operational lead for HEMS, said Mr Dorrian's "outcome could have been so different if early CPR had not been administered and they did not have access to the defibrillator".
"Early medical intervention is key in instances like Brendan's," he said.
"The important message for anyone who finds that their loved one is not breathing is to call 999 and to have a go at CPR, the 999 ambulance controller will guide you with simple instructions. CPR helps get blood and oxygen to the vital organs.
"The objective is to save life, prevent brain damage and buy time until medics arrive. In Brendan’s case, access to and administration of the defibrillator was vital to restore a viable, or 'perfusing', heart rhythm.
"We are so pleased that Brendan has made a great recovery and his heart condition is now identified. Patients are at the centre of everything we do, and it is always lovely when patient families choose to get in touch."
To thank those who came to his aid, relatives and friends of Mr Dorrian took on a '5k a day' challenge in March to raise funds for the Air Ambulance.
His wife Nichola and her cousin Ciaran Caldwell - the first team manager of Crumlin United Football Club - were among those who raised £15,000.
