Oxford City holds CPR training after former player's cardiac arrest

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 17:51 · Archive

Oxford City Football Club held a CPR training session after a former player survived cardiac arrest.

Oxford City Football Club held a CPR training session with players and staff earlier this week to support World Restart a Heart Day on October 16. The practical session covered cardiopulmonary resuscitation, defibrillator use and steps to take during a cardiac emergency. Men's first-team player Alfie Potter and women's first-team player Grace Craven attended as REACT founder Darren Davies led the training.

Davies has been connected to Oxford City since the 1980s, when he played for its youth team at the White House Ground. He later returned to coach children's teams, coached Oxford City Nomads and served as a committee member. He also ran a personal training studio at the ground for more than five years before joining the NHS.

On March 2, 2024, Davies suffered sudden cardiac arrest at home after swimming and strength training at the gym. His wife began CPR, having refreshed her knowledge weeks earlier. Paramedics gave three defibrillator shocks and Thames Valley Air Ambulance attended. After about two weeks in hospital, he had an ICD fitted.

Davies said: 'I'm incredibly fortunate to be here today. And I know exactly why I am – because someone knew what to do, had the confidence to act and didn't hesitate.' His experience led him to establish REACT, which provides first aid, CPR and automated external defibrillator training for sports clubs, businesses, schools and community groups.

How it is being reported

• Oxford City holds CPR training after former player survives cardiac arrestPlayers and staff joined REACT: Emergency Response Training at the club earlier this week, supporting World Restart a Heart Day on October 16.Oxfordshire Guardian · 30 Oct, 17:00
• Oxford City holds CPR training after former player survives cardiac arrestPlayers and staff joined REACT: Emergency Response Training at the club earlier this week, supporting World Restart a Heart Day on October 16.Oxford Mail · 30 Oct, 17:00

In this story: Oxford City Football Club · Darren Davies · Thames Valley Air Ambulance · Oxford

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