South Western Ambulance Service calls for more people to learn CPR

South Western Ambulance Service are urging us to learn CPR following the collapse of footballer Christian Eriksen.

He suffered a cardiac arrest last Saturday during a Euro 2020 match against Finland.

The incident has prompted a big jump in calls asking for training in the life-saving procedure and more people sharing how to do it on social media.

Only around 1 in 10 people survive a sudden cardiac arrest in the UK, although bystanders can make a big difference if they take the right action fast.

South Western Ambulance Service have told Greatest Hits Radio Salisbury:

"Every second and every minute really counts when it comes to someone suffering a cardiac arrest."

In the UK there are around 60,000 cardiac arrests out of hospital every year.

WHAT TO DO

People should call 999 immediately if someone is unconscious or not breathing normally.

Emergency call handlers will support them to begin safe CPR if required, and to use a defibrillator if one is available.

There is more information about what should be done here.

Clinical Lead, Amy Sainsbury at South Western Ambulance Service:

"Around 80% of those (cardiac arrests) happen in a persons own home. A persons chance of survival decreases about 10% for every minute without CPR and defibrillation."

Amy says quick action led to Christian Eriksen's survival:

"The minute that they realised that he didn't have a pulse, they started CPR and that's being attributed to one of the reasons he had this outcome and he survived the cardiac arrest."

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• south western ambulance service
• christian eriksen
• CPR
• euro 2020