Two-thirds of golf clubs still don’t have an Automated External Defibrillator on-site. That’s according to new figures released today by the specialist golf insurance provider Golf Care and the heart rhythm charity the Arrhythmia Alliance.
In a bid to combat these worrying statistics, the two organisations have launched the Saving Golfers’ Lives campaign, to get more automated external defibrillators (AEDs) installed in UK golf clubs.
Golf Care has donated £1,000 to the Arrhythmia Alliance and will make further contributions during 2019, in order to get AEDs installed in multiple clubs.
The two organisations will also write to every golf club in the UK outlining the importance of providing AEDs and CPR training.
The issue of heart health is one which is very personal to Golf Care ambassador Bernard Gallacher. More than 100 AEDs have been installed in UK golf clubs over the last four years, as a result of Gallacher’s nationwide awareness campaign. This campaign was launched after he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest in Aberdeen and almost died.
However, Gallacher acknowledges that more still needs to be done, and has thrown his support behind this latest initiative.
He said: “It’s extremely encouraging that scores of lives have been saved thanks to the success of this campaign. In fact, after we donated a defibrillator to Bathgate Golf Club, where I started out, this saved the life of a 44-year-old father of two. He collapsed in the car park and the bar staff, who had had the basic training, saved his life.
“However, clearly more work still needs to be done to raise awareness of the importance of defibrillators. The fact that nearly two-thirds of clubs still don’t have one is especially concerning to me as defibrillators are essential for survival in many instances.
“That’s why I give my full support to this joint initiative between Golf Care and the Arrhythmia Alliance. I hope it saves many more lives in the years to come.”
Trudie Lobban MBE, Founder and Trustee of the Arrhythmia Alliance, said: “Without the quick action of administering CPR and using an AED, Bernard would not have survived when he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest.
“He was very fortunate to be in the right place at the right time, whereby someone in the room happened to have an AED in their car.
“When Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) strikes, every second counts. For every minute that passes, the sufferer’s chance of survival decreases by 10%.
“CPR alone provides a 9% chance of survival, however, administering CPR and plus the use of an AED increases this to more than 50% chance of survival. It is therefore vital that golf clubs have on-site AEDs.”
The Arrhythmia Alliance is aiming for all golf clubs to have a minimum of two AEDs on site – one outside the Club House, and one at the furthest point from the Club House.
To find out more about Golf Care’s partnership with the Arrhythmia Alliance, click here.
Golf Care www.golfcare.co.uk
Arrhythmia Alliance http://www.heartrhythmalliance.org/aa/uk/defibs-save-lives