Virgin Media O2 UK Train 500 Front Line Staff to Save Lives

Some 500 of Virgin Media’s front-line UK staff, including broadband ISP engineers, have been given special training by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) so that they have the ability to administer lifesaving CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and can use a defibrillator.

The move effectively turns their staff into first responders via the NHS first responder GoodSAM app, including in many areas without easy access to defibrillator machines (portable defibrillators have been added to each of their company vehicles). Since the beginning of the rollout, several Virgin Media employees have already jumped into action and put their new life-saving skills into practice.

Indeed, just months after completing his training, Virgin Media’s Field Technician, Morgan Sherlock, resuscitated a man who had suffered a cardiac arrest at the roadside. Morgan, who was driving back from work, stopped when he came across the emergency situation and used his mobile defibrillator to administer shocks while they waited for an ambulance to arrive.

Jeff Dodds, COO of VMO2, said:

“With people working across our network in every corner of the country, this programme has the power to be transformative.

The evidence and statistics around cardiac arrest is clear: CPR training saves lives which is why we’re putting into action one of the country’s largest ever training drives. Spending a small amount of time today could save somebody’s life tomorrow, so we urge everyone to learn about this important skill with information available on our website and through the British Heart Foundation.”

Apparently, VMO2’s employees have been given the opportunity to complete the life-saving training during work hours on a voluntary basis, with employee’s giving hundreds of hours of their time to date. The new mobile defibrillator programme is said to be the largest of its kind.