UEFA, in partnership with the European Resuscitation Council (ERC), recently unveiled an online CPR training initiative. The program, dubbed ‘Get Trained, Save Lives’, aims to equip football fans and professionals with life-saving medical skills.
‘Get Trained, Save Lives’ – A Life-Saving Initiative
Launched last November, the campaign is a result of a collaboration between UEFA and the ERC. Its primary goal is to teach people how to respond to sudden cardiac arrest situations. The campaign’s online training module, hosted on a dedicated platform, promises to teach the basics of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in under four minutes.
The Online Platform – get-trained.com
The interactive training module hosted on get-trained.com, is a part of the ‘Get Trained, Save Lives’ campaign. The platform provides access to a comprehensive and interactive CPR training course.
What the Training Entails
The CPR training offered on get-trained.com is set in a virtual dressing room. Renowned football personalities such as Ruud Gullit, Erling Haaland, Lautaro Martínez, Gareth Bale, Thierry Henry, Rio Ferdinand, and Ana Marković guide the participants through the course. The training includes interactive questions, with players reacting to and commenting on the answers provided by the users.
UEFA’s Plans for the Future
In addition to the ongoing campaign, UEFA has plans to roll out a shorter version of the training on Instagram later this spring. This move will help to reach a wider audience and ensure that more people have access to these potentially life-saving skills.
Training for EURO 2024
UEFA and ERC have already conducted hands-on training for about 3,000 players, coaches, referees, officials, and staff at various events and tournaments. As part of the buildup to EURO 2024, all participating teams will receive training on how to provide first aid in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest.
Increased Visibility during EURO 2024
The ‘Get Trained, Save Lives’ campaign will be prominently featured during EURO 2024. This will be achieved through TV commercials and activities in all fan zones across the 10 host cities. The campaign’s message will also be displayed on LED boards around the stadiums during matchday 2 of EURO 2024.
Support from Football Stars and Legends
The campaign has received backing from a range of current stars and footballing legends. These include Erling Haaland, Lautaro Martínez, Ana Marković, Ruud Gullit, Gareth Bale, Thierry Henry, Didier Deschamps, and Rio Ferdinand. More names are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Notable Comments
Lautaro Martínez, a forward for FC Internazionale Milano, had this to say about the campaign:
“I think this campaign is important because life is important. It is crucial to know what to do if a cardiac arrest occurs.”
Wales legend Gareth Bale also voiced his support, stating:
“I’ve installed an automatic external defibrillator (AED) in my home and bought one for every member of my family. A cardiac arrest can happen anywhere. In a stadium, at work but most often at home. Sometimes I take my AED to the golf course. You never know what might happen.”
