Football legends help fans feel confident using a defibrillator
New research from Sky Bet and us found that more than two-thirds of football fans, 69 per cent, believe fear could prevent them from using a defibrillator. Their biggest concerns include using one incorrectly, not knowing how it works and worrying that they could make the situation worse.
As part of the latest phase of our Every Minute Matters partnership, we’re encouraging football fans to learn lifesaving CPR and defibrillation skills using our free online training tool, RevivR.
Football legends show anyone can step forward
Roy Keane, Micah Richards, Paul Ince, Neil Ruddock, Iain Dowie and Julian Dicks are supporting the campaign and showing that even some of football’s toughest characters can feel unsure about stepping forward during a cardiac arrest.Through our RevivR training, the former players confront common concerns about using a defibrillator and show fans that they don’t need medical training to use one.
A defibrillator provides clear instructions, checks the person’s heart rhythm and will only deliver a shock if one is needed. Our free RevivR training takes just 15 minutes and can give you the confidence to act if someone has a cardiac arrest.
Kev’s story
Amateur footballer Kevin Smith, known as Kev, knows just how important that confidence can be. The 57-year-old had a cardiac arrest while playing for FC Ditton in Kent and was saved after his teammates performed CPR and used a defibrillator.Kev later discovered that a heart attack had triggered his cardiac arrest. He underwent a quadruple heart bypass and spent 36 days in hospital before beginning his recovery. His story is a powerful reminder of the difference CPR and defibrillation can make.
More than 40,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in the UK each year, and fewer than one in ten people survive. Early CPR and defibrillation can more than double someone’s chance of survival.
Every Minute Matters
Since Every Minute Matters launched in May 2024, more than 500,000 people have started learning CPR through RevivR. Football figures including Vinnie Jones, Frank Lampard, Jamie Carragher, Troy Deeney and Dion Dublin have also supported the campaign.
Sky Bet is also funding 400 defibrillators through its three-year partnership with us. The defibrillators funded so far are helping to improve the chances of survival for around 460,000 people in the UK should they have an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Communities can also check their eligibility and apply for funded defibrillator equipment through our Community Defibrillator Funding Programme.
You don’t need to be a medical professional or a football legend to help save a life. Start our free RevivR training today and gain the skills and confidence to act in a cardiac arrest.
Learn CPR and defibrillation skills in 15 minutes