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The installation of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) and learning how to perform CPR will help save lives, says the Tottenham Hotspur club doctor.
Ravi Gill was attending the installation of the latest AED provided by the Premier League Defibrillator Fund at a grassroots or community club facility, for the Ugo Ehiogu Mini Pitch at Seven Sisters Primary School in Haringey, North London.
The pitch is in regular use during and outside school hours, with community activity hosted there, and so the defibrillator is there for a wide range of local people.
Gill stressed the importance of a fast response time in the incident of a sudden cardiac arrest.
"Defibrillators can save lives in emergencies," he said. "Sadly, cases of sudden cardiac arrest can happen anywhere and at any time so by enabling more facilities to have a device, it can make the difference in saving lives."
At least 12 young people aged between 12 and 35 die of undiagnosed cardiac conditions in the UK every week. Over 30,000 people of all ages suffer a cardiac arrest outside of hospital every year and fewer than one in 10 survive.
Those chances are significantly improved not only by the presence of an AED but also people trained to deliver CPR.
"In cases where CPR can be delivered within three minutes, survival rates are far higher," said Gill, who delivered a CPR workshop alongside Steve Quinton, from The FA, for the school's Year 6 pupils.
"Anyone can, and should, learn CPR. I would encourage players, fans and families to complete The FA Education's free online Sudden Cardiac Arrest course."
The Premier League's Defibrillator Fund will provide more than 2,000 life-saving devices to grassroots and community club facilities across England and Wales, benefiting up to 1.5million people.
Grassroots clubs who own their facilities can head to the Football Foundation website to check their eligibility for an AED.
Once done, clubs can place their order through premierleaguedefibs.org.
All devices supplied by the Defibrillator Fund are registered with the British Heart Foundation's centralised network, The Circuit, and the charity is encouraging the registration of all devices at thecircuit.uk.
The Premier League Defibrillator Fund is in addition to the £100m the Premier League invests per season in community facilities, community and education programmes.
This is the biggest voluntary contribution to communities and other good causes of any football league in the world.
