Awareness is being raised of The Football Association’s free Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training, which is available online to help people save lives.

Unfortunately, a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) can happen to anyone. This learning from the Boot Room (part of England Football) is designed to assist anyone to recognise an SCA and to respond appropriately. From next year, the module will become a compulsory element of The FA’s ‘Introduction to First Aid in Football’.

You can enrol, or find out more, by following this link. Information on grassroots football can also be found in the menus above, by following @EssexCountyFA on Twitter and by searching for ‘EssexFootball’ on Facebook.

Defibrillators Available at Reduced Prices for Clubs

Reduced-price defibrillators are also being offered by The FA and the British Heart Foundation (BHF), who are aiming to create ‘Heart Safe Clubs’ across the country by reminding grassroots football teams of an initiative to supply them throughout the game.

Phases 1 and 2 of this dedicated initiative were a tremendous success and the allocated defibrillators were quickly taken-up by clubs. These two phases were part-funded, and The FA have now secured an excellent price through WEL Medical, their strategic supply partner. After purchase, individuals can also access additional resources and free online training materials.

WEL Medical specialize in life-saving devices and are supplying The FA with the iPAD SP1 defibrillator, a nominated device of the British Heart Foundation which is also deployed by the NHS Ambulance Service. Clubs can now purchase these life-saving defibrillators for the special price of £750+VAT (usual cost £1,325+VAT).

All grassroots clubs in England can apply for a defibrillator via this link. WEL Medical will require the club’s name, affiliation number, County FA, and the name/position of the person ordering the AED. Questions or enquiries relating to the Heart Safe Clubs initiative should be directed to WEL Medical via (03333) 444789 or laurence.jones@thefa.com.