The RevivR app teaches lifesaving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills and how to use a defibrillator in just 15 minutes.
Through its partnership, the University of Portsmouth and Portsmouth Football Club (PFC) are looking to educate the city around cardiac arrest first response and ultimately contribute to saving lives.
Around 22,000 people are living with heart and circulatory diseases in Portsmouth, which cause 40 deaths each month, while the chances of surviving an out- of-hospital cardiac arrest in the south-east of England is just one in 12.
The initiative, which centres around Pompey’s home match against MK Dons on Saturday 17 December, will promote free online training via the British Heart Foundation’s RevivR tool.
The training teaches lifesaving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills and how to use a defibrillator in just 15 minutes. It’s easy to use, can be done at home with a cushion and a mobile phone or tablet to hand and gives people the skills to be ready should that day come when they’re required.
Ahead of the match, members of the Pompey squad were trained on RevivR.
Ahead of the match, members of the Pompey squad and manager Danny Cowley were trained on RevivR by the University, learning the essential skills required if a team-mate or loved one required support.
On the match day, there will be a CPR training pop-up in the Fanzone, led by the University’s paramedic science course lead, offering fans a chance to give CPR skills a try; the Pompey squad will wear campaign t-shirts in the warm up; there will be a dedicated spot in the programme with a QR code to learn more about RevivR; video content on the big screen showcasing PFC players undertaking the training; and all posters in Fratton Park will be branded with campaign information.
During the game, PFC manager Danny Cowley and Assistant Manager Nicky Cowley will wear heart monitors to show the impact football has on a manager’s heart.
The initiative will also raise awareness of the University’s research into heart health in the city and the impact of Restart a Heart, and highlight its own health care professional courses.
We know that currently in the south coast of England, the cardiac arrest survival rate is one in 12. We want to change that. We know the chances of us saving people is greatly increased if somebody has started the process of CPR before we get there, rather than waiting for us to arrive.
Rob Isherwood, Senior Teaching Fellow and course lead for BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science at the University of Portsmouth, said: "We know that currently in the south coast of England, the cardiac arrest survival rate is one in 12. We want to change that. We know the chances of us saving people is greatly increased if somebody has started the process of CPR before we get there, rather than waiting for us to arrive.
"I’m from Portsmouth, I’m a Pompey boy and I want my city to be the city to lead the world at out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates. We have one of the highest number of defibrillators per population of any city in the country so that groundwork has been done. But what we have not got is the training and the confidence of people to use those defibrillators.
"It’s about giving people the confidence to get involved, to call for help early and start CPR as that’s what can make the difference between life and death."
Danny Cowley said: “We've seen a lot of high-profile cases in recent times of players collapsing on the pitch. We even had a recent incident at Fratton Park where a supporter required CPR.
"Fortunately, we are equipped to deal with such matters because we have eight defibrillators at the stadium – a true testament to our outstanding stadium operations team.
"Something I took from our cardiac arrest first response training was that we need to be proactive. To save someone else's life is an incredible attribute to possess, and if you can spend just 15 minutes learning how, then you never know when it might be required."
Rob Isherwood, Senior Teaching Fellow and course lead for BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science at the University of Portsmouth, delivering the RevivR session.
Something I took from our cardiac arrest first response training was that we need to be proactive. To save someone else's life is an incredible attribute to possess, and if you can spend just 15 minutes learning how, then you never know when it might be required.
A cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time – at home, work, or out in public. RevivR will teach you how to recognise a cardiac arrest, uses your phone or tablet camera to detect your body movements and provide you with live feedback as you practise chest compressions. It will guide you to the rhythm for effective CPR so that you are ready if the worst happens. Additionally, it will show you how to use a defibrillator.
The training is easy, free and quick - all you need is your mobile phone and a cushion; in 15 minutes, you’ll have the confidence to step in and save a life. Find out more.
Adam Fletcher, Head of Community Health Programmes at the British Heart Foundation, said: “We are so grateful to the University of Portsmouth and Portsmouth FC for this activity to drive awareness of heart health and the importance of CPR. RevivR is our first-of-its-kind online CPR training tool, designed to teach these lifesaving skills in just 15 minutes.
“Far too many of us will witness a cardiac arrest in our lives, and it could happen at any time and anywhere. Immediate CPR and defibrillation will give someone the best chance of survival. All you need to learn with RevivR is your phone and a firm cushion, so take the few minutes to brush up your skills or learn for the first time.”