Disaster....in schoolboy football.

[Willi]

Totally agree with you and mo. Academic pursuits must take primacy.

[Don1]

Very good point....

We need to do what we reasonably can. And I must come back to the state of our libraries and our labs. Is everything going to be about sports in Jamaica?

....and is precisely why we must make science as exciting as sports. If yuh cyaan beat 'em (sports) den join 'em (science & technology)

The way to do this is by using science applications where kids build objects...hardware or software.....and then create inter-school competitions

When we release the ultra-competitive HS rivalries & egos in science competitions...the results will be magical. As in 1,000,000X more valuable than the revered Schools Challenge "Quiz"

Chuss mi...Mi si dat ah gwaan lang time now

[Mosiah]

And that's why my recommendations made in another thread are all, in my view, very doable.

I understand Team Jamaica Bickle is trying to outfit all schools with defribs and many already have. Maintenance is certainly going to be an issue.

We need to do what we reasonably can. And I must come back to the state of our libraries and our labs. Is everything going to be about sports in Jamaica?

[Islandman]

On point Willi, good analysis.

[Willi]

We need to focus on the low hanging fruit, the art of the possible. What about stretchers, tongue depressors and proper training in CPR for the support staffs. What about pooling medical resources? The focus is to maintain life for at least 20mins. Dont expect an ambulance before then. Also KGN is a traffic nightmare, so take travel time both ways into account.

Having defibs ($800usd cost) and other fancy gear in the schoolbus at every game is a recipe for THEFT, if security arrangements are lax. Just keeping it real. (I wont even mention maintenance costs, as we Jamaicans usually think only of raising the purchase price one time, as if things last forever, especially when used in a rugged environment)

If we really want something workable, we have to think budget and think outta the box.

[Willi]

We neither have the number of EMT personnel nor the number of ambulances. There are 120 senior school football teams and potentially 60 games per day. Of course due to the sceduling, its more like 30 games simultaneously. However, what about Colts and Pepsi... are they children of a lesser God. What about basketball and rugby and cricket and netball and swimming and, and, and! Then what about those resources for the general population, whose MUCH vaster number means they statistically will have more need for the services in this timeframe? Do we have ambulances sitting idly for low probability events while taxpayers die due to diverted critical resources?

Lets face it, our bruk Pocket status limits our options. We just have to accept certain risks as reality forces us to deal with that.

[Bricktop]

they need fully equipped paramedics at each game...FLOW sponsors the league so no excuse why they can't...

[Time]

Agreed.

Dr Alexander, clearly shaken by the tragedy, pleaded with the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) to provide proper medical assistance at games.
“It’s not just oxygen, we’re talking the basic resuscitation kit or even an Ambu bag. Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation won’t help. CPR, maybe yes, but that alone won’t help, because after CPR you need backup equipment for the basic support of life, and oxygen included,” said Dr Alexander.

(They did not have a stretcher to put him on and no ambulance ! If we cannot afford a proper ambulance then get we at least get a police vehicle with emergency lights? )

[Willi]

Agreed.

[Willi]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcZM90vJdeg

[Reggaedoc]

As spectators or on standby for emergencies?. Big difference. If there for enegencies then they would be prepared for acute events like asthma attacks, seizures, shoulder dislocations etc, all of which can be taken care of immediately, there and then without great technology. Also having a facemask, oxygen, an oral airway and an ambu bag can be lifesaving of a nurse is on hand. They must make provisions for these at the games. At least one person trained in CPR(BLS) should be at every game before whistle.

[Twan]

and no medical staff or ambulance in sight...but FLOW spending millions on fireworks show...pathetic...

2 doctors were on site, no ambulance

[Reggaedoc]

and no medical staff or ambulance in sight...but FLOW spending millions on fireworks show...pathetic...

Agree. That should be a requirement at all games. Are all players cleared medically each year prior to the start of the season and required to submit a medical cert to ISSA prior to the start of the season?. I am not suggesting that that will be a 100% guarantee but that would be a start.

[Islandman]

Heartbreaking news.

[Bricktop]

and no medical staff or ambulance in sight...but FLOW spending millions on fireworks show...pathetic...