People in York urged to take up basic first aid training
We've spoken with the medical team at York City Football Club, where there are two defibrillators at the LNER Community Stadium and one at the training ground.
Last updated 18th Jun 2021
People in York are being urged to take up basic first aid training to help save lives.
It follows Christian Eriksen's cardiac arrest during Denmark's Euro 2020 match with Finland.
York City FC have two defibrillators at the LNER Community Stadium, plus one at their training ground.
Lead Sports Therapist Lewis Bulmer explains what's in place on a matchday if a cardiac arrest happens: "The defib will be at the side of the pitch alongside all the other medical gear that we have, such as the oxygen needed and drugs in the doctor's bag.
"Medical staff wise it'll be myself, the doctor of the day and medical staff on the opposing team so it's at hand ready to go on. We have a defib by the side of us every time we need to go on.
"We also have an emergency action plan ready to take someone off the pitch, and then if we need to down the tunnel to the evacuation point where the ambulance would be.
"A lot of people should go and at least do a course on CPR training, or download the training from the official FA website. It's vastly important for everyone to be aware of the training".
Former York City player David Longhurst died in 1990 after suffering a cardiac arrest during a game - Head of Sports Medicine Will Short says big medical advancements have been made since then: "It's something that medical teams plan for, strategically train for on a matchday event and during training; it goes from the first team right to the academy and youth players. It's something that the staff are highly trained for.
"From the beginning of the 90s there was really a strive for development in this area, and it gathered momentum from those early days to develop specialist protocols.
"It's not just sport that's doing this - it's a societal thing. I've heard stories of colleagues that've trained young children in schools and they've saved their parent's lives with skills like opening their airwaves.
"It's something that we can continue to develop".
Will goes on to explain whether it's possible to have a defibrillator in every football ground: "There's two things: one is support and the other is finance. At York City Football Club we're tremendously supported by the chairman, as these things aren't cheap.
"On top of that there's the regulations: we've encouraged from the FA and UEFA right down to us to make sure these regulations are in place. The more training that we can get to people the better.
"The training can be very technical, but we can bring it right down to the basics".
More information on FA first aid training courses can be found here.