Scottish FA launches new football first aid initiative
These days, there are lots of football first aid supplies for organisations to take advantage of and these products can prove vital in a range of situations.
An incident involving footballer Fabrice Muamba in March last year highlighted the importance of equipment like this. The sportsman collapsed during a Bolton FA Cup tie against Tottenham after suffering a cardiac arrest. However, thanks to the first aid he received, he was able to make a full recovery. This was despite the fact that his heart had stopped beating for a total of 78 minutes.
In a new initiative, the National Stadium Sports Health and Injury Centre has launched a special course that will teach more than 1,000 coaches in Scotland first aid techniques like CPR. The scheme is being funded by The Scottish Football Partnership.
It will help coaches who are involved in semi-professional football, as well as women’s, amateur and youth leagues.
Launching the training sessions recently, former Bolton manager Owen Coyle said: “I was very humbled and delighted to be asked to be involved. I drove up from England to play such a small part today because it’s something that I think is very important.”
He added: “There are over a thousand places for people to have this training, and if it helps one kid it’s fantastic to have that education and be on hand to help in such a situation. There are games going on up and down the country all weekend and there might not be people with the right training to deal with the situation. Hopefully this will help.”
As well as ensuring that individuals with the necessary skills are on hand to deal with emergencies, it is also vital that sufficient supplies are available. These days, it is straightforward for individuals and organisations to get hold of a well stocked football first aid kit.
