Sudden cardiac arrest can strike anyone at any time, and when it happens, every second counts. Often, it occurs without warning, but there are some signs to look out for.
A sudden collapse, loss of consciousness, and the absence of a pulse are key indicators of cardiac arrest.
Unlike a heart attack, which is often preceded by symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and dizziness, cardiac arrest occurs suddenly and requires immediate intervention.
That’s why learning CPR training can turn bystanders into lifesavers. It is crucial because it empowers you to act quickly in a life-threatening situation, potentially doubling or tripling a person’s chance of survival.
With every minute that passes without CPR, the likelihood of survival decreases dramatically, making this skill vital in emergencies.
Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation recently joined forces to launch the “Every Minute Matters” campaign, a life-saving initiative aimed at teaching football fans the essential skill of CPR.
With a target of training 270,000 fans by the end of the 2024/25 football season, the campaign highlights how in just 15 minutes, you can gain the knowledge that could save someone’s life—and it’s free.
Why Learning CPR is Crucial
Cardiac arrests don’t come with a warning. In the UK, over 30,000 people suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests each year, with survival rates below 10%.
Without intervention, the chance of survival decreases with each passing minute. However, with immediate CPR, the odds of survival can double or even triple.
CPR buys critical time, keeping oxygen flowing to the brain and vital organs until emergency services arrive. Despite the simplicity of the process, many people feel unprepared or lack the confidence to step in during a crisis.
Football’s Role in the ‘Every Minute Matters’ Campaign
Football is more than just a sport—it’s a platform for change. Recognising this, Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation have tapped into the power of the football community to raise awareness about the importance of CPR.
Through the “Every Minute Matters” campaign, they’ve assembled a team of football legends, including Graeme Souness, Glenn Hoddle, and Vinnie Jones, as part of the Restarting XI—a group of football and community heroes advocating for CPR training.
These figures are not only household names in the world of football but also passionate about encouraging fans to step up and learn a life-saving skill.
Vinnie Jones: Football hardman turned CPR advocate
The highlight of a busy summer transfer window for Restarting XI was certainly Vinnie Jones. Known for his tough-as-nails image on the pitch, Jones has taken on what he calls “one of his most important roles” by raising awareness about CPR.
The former Wimbledon and Leeds star-turned-Hollywood actor said: “Out of all my roles on and off the pitch teaming up with Sky Bet and the BHF might just be one of my most important roles. It quite literally could be lifesaving.
“Sky Bet’s football fan survey shows that low awareness and lack of confidence is holding fans back from stepping up, but the reality is fans have nothing to fear as learning CPR is simple and easy and only takes 15 mins with the BHF’s online RevivR tool.
“That’s why, this season I’m urging football fans to back the Every Minute Matters campaign and ask themselves one simple question – will they stand by or will they step up to learn CPR and potentially save someone’s life.”
To boost awareness for the campaign, Jones made his debut for the Restarting XI by starring in a social media video filmed at Plough Lane, his former home with AFC Wimbledon.
The video draws inspiration from a recent survey highlighting the lack of confidence many football fans feel when it comes to performing CPR, aiming to encourage them to overcome their hesitation and take action.
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Knowing CPR could make you the difference between life and death in an emergency. Take just 15 minutes to complete the RevivR course—because in a cardiac arrest, every second counts.