In partnership with the European Resuscitation Council, UEFA launched the “Get Trained, Save Lives” campaign in November 2023. Over the past year, the initiative has dramatically impacted Europe.
The “Get Trained, Save Lives” campaign has trained over 176,000 individuals while raising awareness about the importance of CPR.
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a leading cause of death in Europe, affecting one in every 1,000 people each year. Despite how common it is, many people don’t know what to do when it happens.
That’s where this campaign comes in, offering people the skills to respond quickly in an emergency.
UEFA has used this power to spread life-saving messages far and wide. Football’s massive fan base allows the campaign to reach millions across Europe, and UEFA’s multi-platform approach ensures the campaign reaches people in many ways.
Television ads, LED boards, and giant screens at key events spread the word. These ads reached four billion impressions, and the TV ads alone attracted 1.4 billion viewers. But the campaign didn’t stop there.
As the sensation of #EURO2024 lingers on, we have not only witnessed countless exciting moments, but also scored a hattrick of love, cares and responsibility behind the scene.
— Hisense (@HisenseGlobal) July 26, 2024
In each host city, UEFA built a CPR booth in fanzone to provide fans with basic life-saving training… pic.twitter.com/CseFuURcih
It reached people through various channels, including digital and in-person events.
The online course, led by football legend Ruud Gullit, featured stars like Erling Haaland, Lautaro Martínez, and Manuel Neuer. This course has already trained 78,000 people.
It’s interactive and easy to follow, allowing fans to learn CPR with guidance from their favorite players.
The campaign offered a shorter version of the course for those with less time. It was available through Instagram chatbots and quizzes, which attracted 49,000 participants. It made it easier for people to participate, no matter how busy their lives.
In addition to online courses, in-person training played a key role. At events like UEFA EURO 2024, people participated in CPR training at fan zones. Over 40,000 individuals joined these sessions.
Together, they performed over four million heart compressions. The hands-on experience helped them gain confidence in performing CPR when it matters most.
The campaign also focused on training people within the football community. Over 9,100 professionals, including players, coaches, staff, and volunteers, took part in CPR training. They attended courses led by ERC-certified instructors at events like the UEFA Nations League and the UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
These individuals are crucial in responding to emergencies during matches, so training them is vital.
UEFA has big plans for continued growth as the campaign enters its second year. The first year’s success inspired the organization to expand the reach of the “Get Trained, Save Lives” initiative.
UEFA will continue working with European professional clubs to bring CPR training to even more people.
The campaign will also be featured during Matchdays 5 and 6 of the club competitions. TV ads, LED perimeter boards, and match program ads will remind fans to take the CPR course.
UEFA aims to involve more fans, players, and staff. The campaign is designed to make CPR training accessible to everyone, regardless of where or how much time they have.
CPR can make the difference between life and death. Performing CPR within the initial minutes can improve the likelihood of survival, so training is necessary.
Everyone can learn to perform CPR, whether a professional athlete or a casual fan in the stands.
The campaign also raised awareness about the importance of having defibrillators (AEDs) available at sporting events. Having these life-saving devices on hand is essential in addition to knowing CPR.
It’s not just about knowing CPR but also about having the right equipment available when needed.
The “Get Trained, Save Lives” campaign results have been inspiring. More than 176,000 people trained in CPR are just the beginning. As UEFA continues to expand the program, even more people will be equipped to save lives in emergencies.
This effort shows how football can be a powerful tool for good. It proves that sports can bring about real, positive change in communities.
UEFA’s collaboration with the ERC has made a lasting impact. Fans and professionals have the knowledge and confidence to act in a cardiac emergency.
The objective is to foster a culture of readiness within the football community so that everyone can save a life when it is most critical.
For those interested in learning CPR, the course is available at get-trained.com. The website offers resources and information on participating in the training.
As the campaign progresses, UEFA and the ERC remain committed to spreading this life-saving knowledge to more people across Europe.
Football fans have a new way to make a difference. By learning CPR, they can be heroes in their communities, saving lives when it matters most. With continued efforts and expansion, “Get Trained, Save Lives” will continue impacting for years.