The FA launched Phase 3 of its national ‘Heart Safe Club’ initiative in July 2019, with the aim of promoting life-saving defibrillators to all grassroots football clubs. 

There has been a very good initial response from clubs across the country, however, it is important to keep this initiative going strong because sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) can happen to anyone, anytime and anywhere -  it could be one of your team, a fan at one of your matches or even you who could suffer a sudden cardiac arrest.   We all know about high-profile cases of footballers who have collapsed and needed CPR and defibrillation but across the UK, there are many club players of all ages, who also suffer a sudden cardiac arrest. 

The British Heart Federation reports that there are around 30,000 out of hospital cardiac arrests in England every year and for every minute lost without CPR and defibrillation, a person’s chance of survival decreases by around 10 percent.  Performing CPR alone, however, is not enough to help save a person’s life in the case of sudden cardiac arrest – a defibrillator will also be needed.

A sudden cardiac arrest is when a person’s heart stops pumping blood around their body and to their brain.  It causes the person to fall unconscious and stop breathing. A defibrillator is an automatic device that can be used to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm during cardiac arrest.  By performing CPR and using a defibrillator until an ambulance arrives, you can help double the person’s chance of survival.

Research shows that over 90% of sudden cardiac arrests in athletes happen either during or immediately after exercise.

Win a free iPAD SP1 Defibrillator

If your club has not yet got a life-saving defibrillator, then please make this a priority investment.  Your club can register and purchase an iPAD SP1 defibrillator for the special FA price of £695+VAT  (list price £1325+VAT) on the official website for clubs at www.footballdefibs.org     

 The first 50 clubs to register by 31 January 2020 will also be entered into a free Draw and one club will be chosen at random to receive a FREE iPAD SP1 defibrillator.