University Hospitals Dorset teaches footballers vital CPR skills

University Hospitals Dorset’s Resuscitation Team joined forces with football club, AFC Bournemouth, to teach lifesaving skills as part of an annual resuscitation awareness campaign ‘Restart the Heart Day’.

The football players were joined by their club ambassador Steve Fletcher, and club staff to learn how to give CPR and use a defibrillator at their new performance centre.

The initiative aims to equip individuals with the skills and confidence to respond quickly in situations of cardiac arrest, which could happen anywhere, including home or on the football pitch.

The training session was held to encourage others to learn CPR ahead of Restart a Heart Day on 16 October, as many of us will witness a cardiac arrest in our lifetime.

Resuscitation Officer, Liz Ponsford, said: “It’s important to know you don’t have to be an expert in CPR. Learning these simple skills will improve chances of survival. Early CPR intervention increases the chance of survival by 50%, and early defibrillation increases that further to 85%. In the crucial moments following a cardiac arrest, every minute really does matter.”

The club said it wanted to encourage people to learn CPR and how to use a defibrillator. Player Liaison and Club Ambassador, Steve Fletcher, said: “We want to thank the Resuscitation Team for visiting us. It has given us the confidence to practise these important skills that could save a friend, family member, or someone in our community.” 

The Resuscitation Team will be hosting several free community events where you can learn how to save a life. See them from 10am-3pm at Gather in the Dolphin Centre, Poole on 13 October, Bournemouth Square on 14 October, and Saxon Square in Christchurch on 17 October.