Ex-Wisbech football coach calls for new law on sports club defibrillators
He wants all clubs to have the potentially life-saving device installed
A former Wisbech Town walking football coach who used a defibrillator to save a player's life is calling for all sports clubs to have the device fitted.
Jonny Pearce had to use the device on Paul Murray, who collapsed during a friendly match two years ago but managed to be saved as emergency services arrived.
Jonny's message comes after paramedics used a defibrillator on Wisbech Rugby Club player Arturas Rudys, who died on the pitch in their match against Diss last Saturday.
"I think it should become law (for sports clubs to have a defibrillator); age is no barrier to who this can affect and there are grants where you can have them installed," he said.
"To have it more accessible can save lives"
"The more awareness that's raised on defibrillators, the more we will see them in sports clubs.
"When there's a cardiac arrest, it's down to timing; to have it accessible and more people confident to use them, it can save people's lives."
In 2021, more than 2,000 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) were expected to be installed at grassroots sport facilities across the country as part of the Premier League Defibrillator Fund.
And this year, the government is inviting community organisations to bid for part of its £1 million Community Automated External Defibrillators Fund, which aims to increase the number of AEDs in public places.
"With more training comes confidence"
But a study funded by the East of England Cardiac Network found that in the east, the devices were used in 10 per cent of cardiac arrests outside of hospital between April and September last year.
By raising awareness of the fact these devices are in place, the chances of survival for someone in a cardiac arrest may likely increase.
"I think the awareness is growing, and it is down to speed as that saves lives," Jonny added.
"The defibrillator will assess the body straight away; if the body doesn't need an electric shock, the device won't give one so the person is not harmed in any way and it's totally safe to use.
"I believe every club should have someone or a group of people trained to use this equipment because with training comes confidence and that can save someone's life."