Rugby stars urge everyone to give CPR a try

Jamie Arrowsmith – Tuesday 23^rd May 2023 – 2pm.

West Midlands Ambulance Service has teamed up with some of the country’s top rugby stars to launch a video aimed at encouraging everyone to give CPR a try.

The video, which will be played to 80,000 fans on the big screens at Twickenham on Saturday during the Gallagher Premiership Final Rugby Union final between Saracens and Sale, sees players from clubs throughout the league press home hard-hitting facts about CPR before encouraging everyone to give it a go.

The important messaging contained within the video is aimed to improve the outcome for the 30,000 adults who suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year.

With only one in ten surviving through to hospital discharge, and over a third of UK adults not knowing how to do CPR, raising awareness is imperative, which is why the chance to play the message to 80,000 fans at the weekend, as well as all of those who see it being played in fan villages, is a fantastic opportunity.

Andy Jeynes, Head of Community Response at West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “Cardiac arrests in sport have unfortunately become big news over the last few years and that is why the chance to create this video, in partnership with Premiership Rugby, was an incredible opportunity for us to get this important message out to so many people.

“Of course, we hope the fans enjoy their day out on Saturday and enjoy a great game of rugby, but hopefully, lots of them will also see the video, gain more of an understanding of why CPR is important and put themselves in a position in the future, to be able to give it a go.

“Finally, I would like to thank Jon Essex and Paul Telfer for their incredible contributions in making the video. Sadly, Paul passed away recently following a short illness and it is a great shame he will not be here to see what I’m sure will be a fantastic reaction. Whilst we all miss him, I am confident his work will have a lasting impact on many, which is the best possible tribute we can pay him.”

The video was directed by Steve Hart, a Community First Responder who volunteers for West Midlands Ambulance Service, often attending patients who are in cardiac arrest, so fully understands the importance of CPR.

Steve said: “For every minute that someone is in cardiac arrest without CPR or use of a defibrillator, their chance of surviving falls by ten percent.

“That is why it is so important as many people as possible learn how to do CPR or refresh their knowledge if it has been a long time since they learnt, you never know when it will be your turn to try and save a life.

“We are incredibly grateful to Premiership Rugby and all of the players for getting involved in making this video, which will hopefully encourage many rugby fans to research and learn this lifesaving skill.”

The Trust is hoping to replicate this project with other teams and sport disciplines and would loke to hear from organisers who can help make this campaign reach our sporting fans across the UK. If interested, please email pressoffice@wmas.nhs.uk.

Notes to Editors:

Andy Jeynes and Steve Hart are available for interview, please contact 01384 215560 to arrange.

The video is available to download here. Please credit West Midlands Ambulance Service and Premiership Rugby if used.

Players who feature in the video are:

Dan Cole – Leicester Tigers

Joe Marchant – Harlequins

Henry Slade – Exeter Chiefs

George Skivington – Gloucester (Head Coach)

Tommy Freeman – Northampton Saints

Ruaridh McConnochie – Bath

Steven Luatua – Bristol Bears

Ollie Hassell-Collins – London Irish

Sean Robinson – Newcastle Falcons

George Ford – Sale Sharks

Manu Tuilagi – Sale Sharks

Alex Goode – Saracens