Why runners should learn CPR

It is an unfortunate fact that with so many people crowded on a course, medical emergencies are a reality at most big races. And while all races have on-site medical teams, more often than not, the first person to come across an injured runner is another participant in the race.

That said, the vast majority of runners will go their whole career without ever witnessing a medical emergency. But that’s not so for Paul Shore, a Pennsylvania runner. He has been a first responder not once, but twice… good thing he also happens to be a doctor.

This month, Dr. Shore had to perform CPR on a fellow runner during a 10-mile race in Philadelphia. He had previously come to the aid of a collapsed runner during the 2013 Philadelphia Marathon.

Shore was approaching the third mile of the race when he was distracted by a group of runners yelling and waving. They were surrounding an unconscious male runner who was turning blue. Shore performed rescue breaths on the victim while another runner performed chest compressions. The man began breathing again and the medical team arrived shortly thereafter. Shore went on to finish his race, running a 1:44.42, slower than his previous year’s 1:24.24, but the stop was definitely worth it.

Having been on the scene twice, he advises other runners to learn emergency first aid so that they may come to fellow race participant’s aid if need be.

Having first aid experience is useful beyond race events where medical emergencies among runners most often occur. A basic knowledge of first aid is a useful tool for any runner that isn’t doing most of their running on the roads of big city where help is more likely to be immediate. If you’re out on trails or back roads with a buddy, it may take some time for medical assistance to arrive. Being able to mitigate the situation in the meantime can be the difference between life and death.