A group of Dundee footballers have been learning lifesaving medical skills just months after one of their colleagues died on the pitch.
Almost 100 players from the Dundee Saturday Morning Football League have received coaching in emergency life-support techniques procedures to help keep a person alive until paramedics arrive should they fall unconscious or stop breathing.
The training comes following the death of Shaun Kelly (20), who collapsed during a match in March.
He died in Ninewells Hospital despite the best efforts of players and paramedics to revive him.
Heartstart training has been given to 98 players, as well as a briefing on the use of defibrillators.
League secretary Steve McSwiggan said: ”We are grateful for the efforts of Heartstart Discovery volunteers and the Scottish Ambulance Service, in particular Helen Brady and Mark Pennycook, for training 98 of our players and officials in Heartstart.
”The feedback was very positive with many keen to get these sessions taken into their work.
”Hopefully, these are skills you will never have to put into practice, but it is reassuring that we know how to do basic CPR until the professionals arrive.
”It could be the difference between one of your team or someone you care for living or dying, and at least you know you’ve given them the chance.
”Standing and waiting for help to come will do them no good at all.”
Heartstart Discovery coordinator Helen Brady said: ”The training went really well.
”In an emergency situation it is so important to be able to sustain life until the emergency services arrive.
”The lads from this group are not usually forthcoming for Heartstart sessions, so it was heartening for me to see so many of them take part.”