Sport, Health and Wellbeing

As a nation of sport players and supporters coupled with the growing understanding of the importance of exercise it seems there has never been a more important time to act and increase the safety – and potentially survival- of our players, team mates and colleagues.

It may seem common sense, it does to Calon Hearts, to have a small piece of kit to hand that could save the lives of those around us. Defibrillators increase the chances of surviving a cardiac arrest by between 50-70% yet there is currently no legislation stating that offices, work places or all sports clubs have to have this piece of life saving equipment available.

With approximately a heart wrenching 30,000 cardiac arrests happening out-side of hospital annually it is so important that workplaces and exercise hubs are covered for this horrible eventuality and protect their workforce and/or their patrons.

Calon Hearts Screening and Defibrillators, heart health charity, have been campaigning to increase the number of venues holding this life saving equipment and now have an open petition to introduce legislation and protect workers and sport players. “We want to help ensure everyone gets the best chance, should the worst happen” says Calon Heart spokesperson.

One person who knows all to well the importance of this petition is Stefan Howell, who was saved by a Defibrillator a few years ago.

Stefan, now 27, was one of thousands who had his routine hospital check-ups replaced by telephone check-ins during the pandemic. Stefan had known for years, following a heart screening, that he had a potentially life-threatening condition but, whilst being closely monitored and as someone who was young, fit and active, it wasn’t something that was hounding his everyday life, thus, on the routine telephone call with his heart specialist he had said he was feeling fine. Only weeks later Stefan had a cardiac arrest on the football field and at only 26 his heart stopped.

Thank goodness his football coach had the presence of mind to ensure wherever his team was playing he took his defibrillator with him, this defibrillator resuscitated Stefan, making his heart beat again a shocking 17 minutes later.

Speaking to Stefan now as he parks his bike, meeting me on his lunch break from work it is instantly evident he hasn’t let this experience stop him. Far from it, not only does he still play sport but he is also determined to raise awareness and ensure that as many people can be saved, the way he was, should they need to be.

 Becoming a Patron for Calon Hearts was an easy choice, as he says “I’ll do anything I can” knowing that the defibrillator that brought him back to life was one that Calon Hearts had placed.

He reminisces “I know how lucky I am, if it had happened at Rugby instead of Football, they don’t have one” (a defibrillator).

But life should not be luck of the draw, whether you live or die should never be based on location. Should it?

With over 7million people in the UK living with heart or circulatory diseases, is it OK that sports hubs, offices and busy streets don’t have a defibrillator in accessible distance? No.

Calon Hearts certainly don’t think it is. And whilst Welsh Government legislation has improved to include grants for certain sporting organisations they don’t believe that’s enough. There are Stefan’s who didn’t make it and families who consequently have lost a seemingly young, fit and healthy loved one.

For that reason, they are calling on Welsh Government to make it mandatory for all workplaces and sport clubs to house a defibrillator and asking all who agree to help Stefan’s voice be heard, help the voices of those left without their loved ones be heard, together, they believe we can make a difference.

“Defibrillators should be as accessible as a fire extinguisher because they are certainly as necessary” Calon Hearts

To hear more about Calon Hearts work, sign their petition or enquire about a defibrillator contact them at Home – Calon Heart Screening & Defibrillators or call 02922 420670 or sign here Introduce legislation where it is mandatory to have an defibrillator in workplaces and sport clubs – Petitions (senedd.wales)