During this week’s international window, the Cymru Men’s National Team players and staff have spent time with the FAW’s Medical Tutors to learn lifesaving CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and defibrillator training.
FAW training courses on CPR and defibrillator training are supported by Save a Life Cymru (SaLC), the NHS Wales organisation to improve cardiac arrest survival. Recently, the organisation revealed that 56% of Welsh adults are trained in CPR, but only 22% are trained in using a defibrillator.
Every year in Wales, more than 6,000 people will have a sudden cardiac arrest and around 80% of those will happen in the home, whilst over one in four of us (26%) have witnessed someone collapse and possibly need bystander CPR and defibrillation intervention.
Speaking about the session, Cymru captain Aaron Ramsey said “It was a very useful course for players and staff to get involved in, with many of us learning how to perform CPR for the first time. Less than half of adults in Wales are confident in performing CPR and how to use a defibrillator, but after receiving training I now feel that I could intervene should the situation arise. I would encourage everyone to learn the steps that could help save a life anywhere, anytime.”
Free training courses on CPR and defibrillator training have been offered to all clubs, leagues, and area associations in Wales. Club secretaries, coaches and first aiders have been contacted through the COMET system and are encouraged to take up the opportunity.
Speaking about delivering the course, the FAW’s Lead Medical Tutor Andrew Lindley said “Both SaLC and the FAW found we had common ground to spread the word around the football community about the delivery of CPR and defibrillator training. The vision is to have a defibrillator at every club, nobody is immune to being around an incident which is important to understand and hopefully the training session with the players will encourage other to take up the training opportunities available.”
To refresh your skills or to get some basic awareness CPR and defibrillation training visit Save a Life Cymru website (Cymraeg or English).
