CPR Training For LCFC Staff On Birch's First Day Back

The Birch was back where he belongs on Saturday afternoon - at King Power Stadium - for the 2-0 Premier League victory over Stoke City after surviving a cardiac arrest at the Leicester Mercury Sports Awards at Welford Road during the early weeks of 2017.

Just four months later, following an outpouring of affection from the Blue Army, the Club Ambassador invited Heartwize to visit Belvoir Drive to get staff and players at the Club up-to-speed with the best methods to both prevent and respond to such incidents in the future. 

Increasing awareness of CPR and defibrillator-use has been a long-term passion for the Birch, even before his experience earlier this season. Over the past three years, the Club and Heartwize have worked together to help install defibrillators in schools and colleges across the Leicestershire region. 

Speaking on Friday, the Birch said: “I’m here and you’re talking to me – that’s how important it is. If it wasn’t important, I wouldn’t be here. I owe my life to CPR and defibrillation. I keep saying ‘in the right place at the right time’. The lack of awareness of CPR or using defibrillators is a worry. 

“For it to happen to me, to bring that awareness… then something good has at least come out of it. It’s created an awareness around the Football Club and around the city and county. The survival rates in this country are quite low compared with other countries in Europe and around the world."

Birch watched on from the stands on Filbert Way as the Foxes secured a fifth consecutive victory in all competitions on Saturday and he says it was brilliant to be back in the thick of it - both at King Power Stadium and at the City training ground - last week. 

“I’m so looking forward to seeing the City fans and getting some normality back,” he said. “Over the last 45 years, I’ve been here. I miss the banter, the sort of thing that keeps me who I am.” 

Dr Doug Skehan, who delivered many of the demonstrations on Friday afternoon, added: “Leicester City have had quite a focus on cardiac arrest recently. The theme of how to respond to cardiac arrests is well known to Leicester City. Heartwize is about trying to get more of the public knowing what to do if they encounter a cardiac arrest. 

“It can save lives. We’ve had a lot of support from the Club over the past three years. The fact that Alan survived a heart attack very recently emphasises the importance of being prepared to act when a situation like that unfolds. 

“Cardiac arrests and heart attacks occur in a number of situations and they need an immediate response. You can’t wait for the professionals; you can’t wait for the ambulance. But you can do some life-changing work just by having a few skills such as the ones we are teaching today.”