FAI to offer training in Basic Life Support techniques to eircom League Clubs
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Staff at eircom League of Ireland clubs are to be trained in Basic Life Support techniques and the use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) under a Football Association of Ireland initiative announced today.
The FAI will fund the training of medical, physiotherapy, coaching and administrative staff at eight eircom League of Ireland clubs on how to perform Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and in the use of AEDs.
The Association purchased four AEDs from Hibernia Healthcare and entered eircom League of Ireland clubs into a draw. The successful clubs were Shamrock Rovers, Sligo Rovers, Finn Harps and Monaghan United. These four clubs have been given AEDs which have been paid for by the FAI. This will bring to 11 the number of eircom League of Ireland clubs who own their own AED.
Staff from four other clubs who already have AEDs will also attend the training. These clubs are Bray Wanderers, St. Patrick’s Athletic, Drogheda United and Derry City. In total, it is expected that 48 personnel from the league will receive training on the day.
The course is certified by the Irish Heart Foundation, endorsed by the FAI and will be delivered by Hibernia Healthcare under the direction of Mr. Michael McQuillan, Direction of Training.
According to Dr. Alan Byrne, Medical Director of the FAI: “I am confident that the training being undertaken by the league personnel will lead to a much greater chance of survival for anybody who suffers sudden collapse on the football pitch, training ground or stadium.”
Fran Gavin, Director of the eircom League of Ireland, said: “We must do everything we can to ensure the well-being of everybody inside the stadium – players, officials and supporters. Having a defibrillator available, and having staff trained on how to properly use the defibrillator, can be the difference between life and death for somebody who suffers sudden collapse. Over recent years we have seen tragedies at home and abroad involving young athletes where defibrillators could potentially have saved lives and so we want to ensure that our clubs are ready to respond if such an emergency does occur.”
Hibernia Healthcare will hold the training seminar for eircom League of Ireland clubs on November 7th.
Have to applaud the FAI for doing this - you never know when it may be needed...
