Mary Kom advocates training in lifesaving techniques

There are few sports in the world more brutal than boxing but London Olympics bronze-medallist M C Mary Kom feels perils exist both inside and outside the ring and training in basic lifesaving techniques is a must for athletes and commoners alike.

Rated as the most dangerous sport in the world, boxing has been aptly described as "show business with blood" by British legend Frank Bruno.

Mary Kom, a five-time world champion and a living legend in women's boxing, feels boxers should be equipped to handle some medical emergencies.

In fact, she said not just boxers but other athletes too should be trained in basic lifesaving techniques to deal with emergencies where even a few seconds can be the difference between life and death.

"I definitely think athletes should be trained to deal with medical emergencies because such training can help in case a fellow athlete gets injured and medical care is not immediately available," said the mother-of-two from Manipur.

This year, in the space of one month, two international footballers suffered cardiac arrests on field of play.

While 25-year-old Italian footballer Piermario Morosini succumbed to the attack during an Italian second division match, Bolton Wanderers' midfielder Fabrice Muamba survived, thanks to the people who knew how to perform Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation after he collapsed during the FA Cup.

CPR kept Muamba's vital organs functioning, till he received treatment at the hospital. Even in India, football player, D Venkatesh died during a league match in Bangalore last month, which once again highlighted the importance of learning the basic techniques of CPR and first aid skills.

CPR is an emergency procedure consisting of external cardiac massage and artificial respiration; the first treatment for a person who has collapsed and has no pulse and has stopped breathing.

"We should be equipped to take care of ourselves from the very beginning of our careers so that risks are minimised," said Mary Kom.