Former footballer Fabrice Muamba says that revolutionary new CPR training videos being shared by Snapchat could save countless lives, especially among young people.
The 34-year-old ex-midfielder, who played for the likes of Bolton Wanderers, Birmingham City and Arsenal, says these virtual CPR lessons could help educate entire generations thanks to the app’s massive reach.
Speaking to the BBC, he said that since young people are often out with friends, “if they don’t know how to do CPR, then they’re in serious trouble” – hence why campaigns like this are so “very important”.
How does it work?
The new Snapchat feature which can be found in the Lenses section of the app teaches cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) via the camera filter, which overlays instructional graphics.
Created with the help of the global Red Cross charity, the CPR function will guide users on how to perform chest compressions and present them with a quiz to see how well they have learned the basics of the potentially life-saving emergency procedure.
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Credit: Snapchat
The hope is that the joint initiative will teach CPR millions, with the app boasting more than 347 million daily active users at present, as well as expand into wider first aid measures in the future.
Moreover, while the core demographic of teenagers and young people under 25 make up nearly half of their entire user base, there are still plenty of adults who use the app across the UK alone.
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A cause close to his heart
The Congolese-born footballer came through Arsenal’s youth academy and played as a senior professional for more than seven years before his career was cut tragically short in one of the scariest moments in live football history.
Just age 23 at the time, Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest in the middle of the pitch while playing for Bolton in an FA Cup match against Spurs back in 2012.
Fabrice Muamba playing for Bolton in 2011Fit and healthy three years after he collapsedCredit: Wikimedia Commons
After his heart stopped, medics spent over six minutes trying to resuscitate him on the pitch before he was rushed to the hospital by emergency responders.
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In a terrifying series of events, he was declared “effectively dead” for a full 78 minutes and it took 15 defibrillator shocks to restart his heart.
Growing concern for player welfare
Since his incident over a decade ago, there have been a number of high-profile incidents of cardiac arrest on playing pitches, including former Manchester United players Daley Blind and Christian Eriksen, who collapsed mid-game and now both are fitted with a defib implant.
The latest to be forced into retirement was Brighton player Enock Mwepu, who just days ago was diagnosed with a heart condition after falling ill on holiday. As a result, people are calling for deeper investigations into players’ well-being.
As Muamba says, “if this happened to me in my house, I don’t think we’d have this conversation today” and these players were at least fortunate to have first-class medical aid on hand.
The cardiac campaigner and charity worker says Snapchat’s CPR tool “is self-explanatory and easy to use” and reiterated “it’s all about being proactive… rather than being scared of not doing anything.
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“You learn how to do it and then once you find yourself in that predicament, you’re able to remember what you learned – it’s about taking action and actually being able to do it in the first place.
First off, if someone is unconscious or not breathing normally, you should call 999 immediately before you start attempting chest compressions. From there, this is how you perform CPR:
Kneel down and place the heel of your hand on the breastbone at the centre of the person’s chest
Place the palm of your other hand on top and interlock your fingers
Position yourself so your shoulders are directly above your hands
Using your body weight, press straight down by 5-6cm (2-2.5 inches) on their chest
Keeping your hands on their chest, release the compression and allow their chest to return to its original position
Repeat these compressions 100-120 times a minute until an ambulance arrives.
As always, a good trick for doing chest compressions is to do them to the rhythm of ‘Stayin’ Alive’ by the Bee Gees (yes, like in The US Office episode).
If you learn now, you could save a life one day. You can also watch an instructional video on how to properly perform CRP down below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toPjR8LcXGM
Featured Image — Wikimedia Commons
Sport
Stockport County CEO to step down at the end of the season
Danny Jones
Stockport County Football Club’s chief executive officer, Simon Wilson, has revealed that he will be leaving his post as CEO and the club at the end of the season.
Having joined the organisation around the time of the first Covid-19 lockdown, Simon Wilson has already spent more than half a decade as part of the Greater Manchester team.
Now, though, having just surpassed his sixth year with Stockport, the County CEO has announced he will step down from his role and depart at the conclusion of the 2025/26 campaign.
Confirming the decision online and across multiple social media posts, he has just a few weeks left before bidding farewell to the Hatters.
Sharing a lengthy statement to the supporters, Wilson wrote: “When I joined, we set out on a clear long-term plan, and I’m proud that we’ve delivered on what we said we would and put the club in a strong position.
“This has been the best thing I’ve ever done in my career. The last 18 months, stepping into both CEO and Director of Football roles, have been particularly intense but hugely rewarding as I’ve seen the club mature further and sit on the cusp of the Championship.
“We always said we’d take stock around this point, and I feel now is the right moment for me to step back and allow the club to move into its next phase.” As mentioned, before being appointed as CEO, Wilson previously served as County‘s Sporting Director and was Director of Football at Sunderland prior to that.
He goes on to say: “The most important thing is that the club is now in a position of real strength. The structures are in place, there’s a clear way of working, and there are talented people throughout the organisation who will drive things forward.
“This isn’t the end of my connection—I’ll continue to support Mark through Stott Capital’s sports investments and by working with some of the emerging leaders within the group.
“There are so many people to thank for their support over my journey here at County. It’s been a truly special ride. To all the players, staff and supporters – from me and my family – thank you for the last six years; you have been a huge part of our lives, and we will never forget how you have made us feel”
It’s fair to say that during Wilson’s tenure, he and the wider board of executives have helped draw more eyes to the aspiring League One side and promotion hopefuls – even the best of the best.
Being one of the main figures responsible for having appointed a fan favourite club face and increasingly successful manager, Dave Challinor, as long-term head coach, it’s fair to say he’ll leave a legacy.
The club’s owner, Mark Stott, added: “It’s on record that I would not have bought the club if I hadn’t met Simon, and it’s clear how much progress has been made over the past six years. When we wrote the plan, we said we would see where we are after the sixth season.
“We both feel the major work has been done in setting the club up, and the next decade will be about capitalising on that. Simon felt that it might be the right time to step back from his day-to-day role to allow others to step up, and while I did ask him to consider staying, I’m happy with where we have got to.
“He’s played a huge role in getting the club to where it is today, and I’m pleased he will continue to support me through Stott Capital and by mentoring key people within my investments.”
As for who will take his place ahead of next term, the club are yet to make any decisions (at least not publicly) but has assured that they will update fans accordingly.
Kobbie Mainoo signs new contract with Manchester United
Danny Jones
Manchester United supporters can breathe a sigh of relief and start the end-of-season celebrations early, as Kobbie Mainoo has signed a new deal with the club, extending his contract until 2031.
A big win for the Red Devils and their fans.
In fact, many will argue it’s great news for England too, as the promising young Man United midfielder’s place in the national team also looked to be in jeopardy earlier this season.
Having gone from struggling for game time to now having started all but one of the current interim manager, Michael Carrick’s, Premier League games, it’s been quite the turnaround for the newly re-committed first-team star.
After transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano broke the news early on Tuesday, 28 April, Man United has now officially announced Kobbie Mainoo‘s eagerly anticipated contract extension.
Mainoo’s existing terms would have seen his deal run out next summer before the start of the 2027/28 season, but now, a fresh five-year deal could see him stay at Old Trafford until at least the start of the next decade.
Having recently turned 21 and having enjoyed a real revival under Carrick, it’s less of a comeback for Kobbie or even a return to form – he simply needed way more minutes.
The Stockport-born United and Three Lions prospect was said to be on the verge of leaving the club under previous boss Ruben Amorim’s tenure – and not necessarily just on loan, either.
Romano stated that Napoli were one of many suitors who looked odds-on to sign Mainoo on at least a temporary deal this past winter.
Several clubs around Europe were heavily interested in signing Carrington youth academy graduate when it looked as though INEOS were determined to back Amorim, meaning the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ would have missed out on that mazy run against Brentford, and who knows what else in the future…
Most Reds would surely have been left hugely disappointed were this to have happened, especially given how long the Portuguese head coach ended up staying at the club.
However close they got heading into the January transfer window, the prior head coach’s departure meant that Mainoo was given another chance at a dream career for his boyhood club, and he has been very impressive ever since he started getting first-team football again.
It also goes without saying that regular playing time is great news for Thomas Tuchel’s side ahead of the 2026 World Cup, as the youngster has looked more than capable of playing in major finals, including the most recent Euros, where he helped give England the lift in midfield that was needed that tournament.
Speaking in an official club statement, Kobbie said: “Manchester United has always been my home; this special club means everything to my family. I have grown up seeing the impact that our club has on our city, and I relish the responsibility that comes with wearing this shirt.
“From The Cliff, to Littleton Road, to Carrington and ultimately Old Trafford, the journey so far has been incredible. I have the privilege of living my dream every single day, with the same relentless desire to succeed here as when I joined my first training session at the age of six.”
“We can all feel the momentum building inside the club. I am determined to step up and play my role in helping Manchester United to regularly fight for major trophies in the years ahead.” Happy, United fans?
Danny Jones -
14th October 2022 
