Royal Signals soldier wins award for saving footballer's life
A member of the Royal Signals has won an award for saving the life of a footballer while refereeing a game.
In 2020, Warrant Officer Class Two Jamie Davis was in charge of a friendly football match in York when a civilian player collapsed on an adjacent pitch.
After being alerted to the emergency, WO2 Davis said he "quickly realised that none of those present knew what to do".
"On finding the player unresponsive, I started cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), despite not having an in-date first aid certificate, it was my Army training that kicked in," he said.
"I only did what every other soldier would have done in a similar situation."
Nominated for his speedy intervention, CPR and defibrillation assistance that lasted 20 minutes, it was WO2 Davis' reaction that allowed the emergency services to stabilise the patient – whose heart valves had collapsed.
The valuable 'golden time' to start the compressions kept the air and blood flowing and saved the footballer's life.
The soldier was presented with the award in a ceremony at North Yorkshire Police Headquarters, and said he was "honoured" to get the award, but added that the player being alive today "is reward enough",
"I am still in contact with the football player. He messages me on the anniversary of the event. I was able to meet up with him, and it was nice to see him in better circumstances," he said.
"I would hope that everyone would assist in that type of situation and just try their best. I felt lucky that my actions resulted in the positive outcome."
The Royal Humane Society is a charity that recognises bravery in men, women and children who have saved, or tried to save, someone else's life.
The Resuscitation Certificate is awarded to people who have undertaken a successful resuscitation of someone who was at one stage 'seemingly dead'.
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