Fatboy Slim joins footballers for CPR training

Brighton & Hove Albion stars have been shown vital CPR skills as part of an annual resuscitation awareness campaign.

The Kent, Sussex and Surrey Air Ambulance (KSS) flew over the Amex stadium on Tuesday ahead of a pitchside training session.

The football players were joined by their celebrity ambassador Norman Cook, also known as Fatboy Slim, to learn how to give CPR and use a defibrillator.

KSS executive medical director Duncan Bootland said the aim is to "create an army of lifesavers across Kent, Surrey and Sussex".

The training session was held to encourage others to do the same ahead of Restart a Heart Day on 16 October which aims to give people the skills to deal with someone who has suffered a cardiac arrest.

"Starting CPR and using a defibrillator as soon as possible, even ahead of the emergency services arriving, can more than double someone’s chance of surviving a cardiac arrest," a KSS spokesperson said.

The charity says an average of 24 people a day experience a cardiac arrest cross Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

Of those, 80% happen at home.

"Tragically, only one in 10 people currently survive," the spokesperson said.

Dr Bootland said survival from cardiac arrest is a team effort.

"With the help of the club, its players and supporters we will increase awareness of the importance of learning how to do CPR and use a defibrillator and ensure as many people as possible are equipped with these vital lifesaving skills," he said.

The British Heart Foundation said more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen every year in the UK.

"Sadly, less than one in 10 people survive," it said. "Early CPR and defibrillation can more than double the chances of survival in some cases."

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