Golden rules

Immediately: Non-contact collapse: enter the pitch at once. Do not wait for the ball to go out of play.
≤ 10 s: Signs of life: look for chest movement and feel the carotid pulse together.
5–6 cm: Compressions mid-chest, 100–120/min, full recoil.
AED now: Apply the AED the moment it arrives — do not wait for the current 30-count to end.
Hands-off: Everyone clear for analysis and shock. Oxygen removed before the shock — unless it is on a closed loop such as an LMA (i-gel).
No pulse check: After a shock, restart compressions at once.
30:2: Until an i-gel is in. Face mask + OPA/NPA is a two-person technique.
Every 10th: With an i-gel: continuous compressions, one breath every 10th compression (~10/min).
15 L/min: Oxygen to the bag reservoir.
2 min: Rhythm check every 2 minutes. Rotate the person doing compressions.
≤ 10 s: Maximum CPR interruption for any carry.
≥ 2 min: After each carry: player down and at least 2 minutes of compressions.

FIFA KEY POINTS

Recognition: any non-contact collapse is cardiac arrest. Enter at once. Gasping and slow seizure-like movement are cardiac arrest, not a fit.

Three things decide the outcome: recognising the arrest, early good-quality chest compressions, and early safe defibrillation.

Airway is not the first priority in adult cardiac arrest: compressions and the AED first, then the i-gel (FIFA's adjunct of choice).

With an i-gel: continuous compressions, ~10 breaths/min (every 10th compression). Face mask + OPA/NPA: 30:2, two people.

Before a shock the person shocking checks that everyone is clear and that oxygen is removed — unless it is on a closed loop such as an LMA (FIFA on-field protocols, 2025). The 2022 manual's older advice was to turn the oxygen off or disconnect it.

After a shock: no pulse check — restart CPR immediately. Rhythm check every 2 minutes.

Transfer: player, long spinal board (or scoop) and AED strapped as one unit. CPR interrupted no more than 10 s per carry, then at least 2 minutes of compressions. An ambulance coming to the player is always preferable. Extrication is considered after the third shock and medications, at the team leader's discretion.

ALS if trained: adrenaline 1 mg IV after the 3rd shock (shockable) or as soon as possible (non-shockable), every 3–5 min; amiodarone 300 mg after the 3rd shock, 150 mg after the 5th.

Reversible causes (4 Hs & 4 Ts) — only once compressions, AED and airway are running: hypoxia, hypovolaemia, hypo/hyperthermia and tension pneumothorax are the pitchside ones.

Destination: a hospital with 24/7 coronary angiography, agreed before the match.

FIFA films and downloads

SOURCES

FIFA Pre-Match Emergency Action Plan (PEAP) — poster and role colours
FIFA Emergency Care Manual — Ch.1 roles & set piece, Ch.2 primary survey, Ch.3 cardiac arrest, Ch.10 FIFA Emergency Care Bag
FIFA Medical Set Piece — Protocols for on-field interventions during matches (Version 3, March 2025), with the sudden cardiac arrest and cervical spine protocols
ERC 2021 Basic & Advanced Life Support guidelines (as reproduced in the FIFA manual)

Study aid summarising FIFA's published emergency care guidance. Not a substitute for formal training, current life support certification or your local protocols.