CPR training essential on all sports grounds, says Wycombe Wanderers Foundation
It follows the fatal heart attack of a young player and fan
The importance of CPR and first aid training was reminded in last weekend's Wycombe Wanderers game following tributes paid to a young player on their Foundation Programme who suffered cardiac arrest.
Adam Ankers, 17-year-old, on the Under-19s team, passed away earlier this month after suffering a heart attack while playing in a patch for the Foundation team at Henley College.
Tributes were paid to him on Saturday's match (February 17) against Oxford United, with the stadium renamed in his honour to 'Adam's Park' and a minute-long applause.
The Foundation wanted to remind players, coaches, and clubs of the importance of knowing life-saving skills in football and other sports alike.
"It's thrown us the thought of having some more scenario-based training that comes out of nowhere, so you are then tested to recall that knowledge."
Chief Executive at Wycombe Wanderers Foundation, Mark Gaitskell, said: "It's vitally important that sports organisations and communities have the infrastructure to support on tragic incidents like this."
"It's really disturbing how it is happening to younger and younger people, and fit people who you would perceive as being in good physical fitness."
Although every attempt at saving Adam's life was made, with CPR procedure, a defibrillator on site, and paramedics and an air ambulance arriving within minutes, Mr Gaitskell insisted on the importance of undergoing essential life-saving training to avoid tragic losses.
He said: "It's thrown us the thought of having some more scenario-based training that comes out of nowhere, so you are then tested to recall that knowledge."
"I don't know that it can be stopped, but I think it's vital that organisations such as ourselves give the best possible opportunity to be able to deal with that and try to save lives."
The club have been supporting Adam's family throughout this time.