Sportspeople whose lives were saved by CPR, and why everyone should have the same chance

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is the ultimate medical emergency - when the heart stops beating, immediate action is required to prevent death.

Every minute without cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) reduces the chances of survival by around 10%. The issue of SCA has been pushed into the media due to high profile cases such as Christian Eriksen and NFL player Damar Hamlin.

Luckily, these athletes survived thanks to decisive action from the people around them who administered CPR and used an AED. At Imperative Training, we believe everyone should have the same opportunity at survival should cardiac arrest strike.

Christian Eriksen

At Euro 2020, a game between Denmark and Finland was brought to a stop near the end of the first half after Denmark ace Christian Eriksen collapsed while unchallenged from another player.

The then 29-year-old had suffered  a cardiac arrest and received CPR as well as shocks from a defibrillator on the pitch. Eriksen was saved by the quick actions of medics at the stadium, and now continues to play football with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

Damar Hamlin

25-year-old NFL Star Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field after completing a tackle in January 2023.The Buffalo Bills player had suffered a cardiac arrest caused by Commotio Cordis, a rare condition that occurs when the chest receives blunt trauma at a very small window in the heart’s rhythm.

Medics performed CPR on Hamlin and administered an AED shock to restore the heart’s rhythm before he was rushed to hospital in a critical condition. Hamlin recovered well thanks to the early CPR and defibrillation he received and is now preparing for a return to the NFL.

Fabrice Muamba

On March 17 2012, an FA Cup tie between Bolton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur almost ended in tragedy as Bolton star Fabrice Muamba, then 23, collapsed after suffering a SCA.

Muamba was given the best chance of survival as medics in the stadium began administering first aid immediately, with the use of CPR and a defibrillator.

In total, the Bolton player was given 15 shocks with a defibrillator to regain consciousness. Two on the pitch, one in the tunnel, and 12 shocks were given in the ambulance.

If Fabrice had not been given prompt CPR, his miraculous story may have ended very differently.

Give everyone the same chance

We believe that every person should have the same chance at surviving SCA as these famous sportspeople. The only way this can be achieved is to ensure that everyone has the knowledge and confidence to carry out CPR in an emergency.

Imperative offers a range of first aid courses, including CPR and use of an AED. Contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 01617767420 to learn more.