A thriving football club based in Alford, Lincolnshire, ATFC provides training sessions and matches for the local community and visiting teams. With 11 teams currently registered with the FA, the club is a growing concern and provides sporting opportunity for girls and boys from aged 4 as well as 3 senior teams and a walking football session.
Following the devastating cardiac arrest suffered by footballer Christian Eriksen at Euro 2021, the need for a life-saving AED at grass roots football clubs like ATFC has been recognized by the FA and clubs across the country. The club has expanded rapidly in recent years and with so many members now registered, the need for first aid provision had increased. We were approached by the Club Chairman, Grant Edgar, to help provide the necessary equipment to deal with a sudden cardiac arrest should it occur.
A HeartSine 350P Semi-automatic Defibrillator with a protective carry case was supplied by Safelincs to the Football Club. This particular model was chosen due to its suitability for outside use. A robust construction, high IP rating against dust and moisture and protective carry case makes it a good choice for outdoor sporting venues such as this. The HeartSine 350P was installed with a set of Paediatric Electrode Pads which automatically reduce the level of shock, making the unit suitable for use on children under 8 years old.
For ease of access, a heated outdoor cabinet for the AED was installed. This will ensure that anyone using the training ground has access to the life saving device even if the clubhouse is not open.
Safelincs were able to offer AED and CPR training at the club for coaches, managers and club officials to ensure that everyone will be best placed to act as quickly as possible if a cardiac arrest occurred.
The Club Secretary, Rob Wilson commented ‘A huge thank you to Safelincs for providing this defibrillator to ATFC. They will also be providing training on the defibrillator for all coaches. This means that the club will be well prepared for any emergencies and is a safer environment for players and spectators.’
All club members and the wider community now have peace of mind that should a cardiac arrest occur in proximity to the football club, the victim’s chance of survival would be dramatically increased.
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