IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SOUTH WESTERN AMBULANCE SERVICE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST, WILTSHIRE FA IS OFFERING FREE CPR TRAINING SESSIONS TO THE WILTSHIRE FOOTBALL COMMUNITY ON 13TH OCTOBER AT GREEN LANE PLAYING FIELDS IN DEVIZES.

Since the Demark v. Finland match in the EURO 2020 tournament, when Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch after suffering a cardiac arrest, there has been increased demand for CPR and defibrillator training.

A cardiac arrest is when a heart suddenly stops pumping blood around the body, starving your brain of oxygen which results in the person falling unconscious and failing to breathe. Starting immediate CPR is vital as it keeps blood and oxygen circulating to the brain and around the body.

Oliver Selfe, CEO at Wiltshire FA said, “CPR training can potentially help to save a life. We are pleased to be working with South Western Ambulance Service to offer our football family the opportunity to attend ‘Restart A Heart’ training, equipping them with the skills to administer CPR if the unthinkable happened.”

Wiltshire referee, Adam Nunn, was Assistant Referee during the Demark v. Finland match on 12th June when Eriksen was resuscitated on the pitch.

Adam Nunn, said, “The Denmark match was a prime example of why we should all have lifesaving CPR training, and the need for defibrillators to be in as many locations as possible.

In the professional game there is equipment and medically trained people on hand to help, but at grassroots level this is not guaranteed. This is a good opportunity for the grassroots community to gain knowledge, practical skills and confidence for an emergency situation.

You never know when you might need the training, if the training is never used then great, but if it is used it could save a life.”

Deanne Hill, Patient Engagement Lead at South Western Ambulance Service said, "This training aims to increase the rate of survival for those who suffer a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting.

We understand that bystanders don't always have the necessary skills, or confidence, to act quickly when witnessing a cardiac arrest and we hope Restart a Heart will offer an opportunity to successfully train as many people as possible, empowering them to act fast, dial 999 and start effective CPR- it could ultimately save a life."

Adam Nunn concludes, “This is a brilliant initiative, which I fully support. You can never fully prepare for an emergency, but this training will give people knowledge to assuredly act if they need to.

I have seen first-hand, if a crisis is dealt with calmly and promptly the outcome can be good, thankfully Christian is well and on the road to recovery.

I encourage as many people as possible to sign up for the training on 13th October to learn lifesaving CPR or to refresh their knowledge, you never know if you might need it.”

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