UPDATE: Sam Booth, a 17-year-old basketball player from Wales, is on a mission to teach life-saving CPR skills to school children across Wales following his near-fatal cardiac arrest during a game. This urgent initiative, backed by the British Heart Foundation, aims to raise awareness of the importance of CPR training in schools.
In a shocking incident that occurred in Liverpool, Sam collapsed on the court while playing basketball, with his mother, Sarah Booth, watching from the stands. It was Sarah’s birthday, and the scene quickly turned from celebration to crisis. Thanks to the quick action of his teammates and the availability of a defibrillator, Sam was revived after suffering a cardiac arrest.
Just over a year later, after spending a month in the hospital and undergoing life-saving surgery for a congenital heart defect, Sam is back in school and playing basketball again. “I can’t remember anything from that day,” he recalls. “But I know how close I was to losing everything.”
The reality is stark: survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Wales are a mere 1 in 20, according to the British Heart Foundation. Sam’s experience highlights not only his miraculous recovery but also the critical need for CPR training among young people.
As part of his commitment to spreading awareness, Sam is supporting the launch of Classroom RevivR, a new, free online tool designed to teach CPR to students aged 11 to 16. The program is available in both Welsh and English and has already been adopted by more than 120 schools across Wales. “If my story helps save even one life, it’s worth it,” Sam says, emphasizing the importance of being prepared for emergencies.
Sam’s cardiac arrest was attributed to an anomalous coronary artery, a congenital condition that went undetected until it nearly claimed his life. After extensive medical treatment, including open-heart surgery, he has returned to both his studies and the sport he loves. “I was nervous coming back, but it felt amazing to be back on the court,” Sam shared.
The emotional toll of his experience has profoundly changed Sam’s outlook on life. “I appreciate the small things now,” he says. “Life is so valuable, and I want to live it fully.” His journey has also inspired Basketball Wales to implement a new strategy for heart screenings and CPR training for coaches.
With the launch of Classroom RevivR, Sam hopes to equip young people with the skills they need to act swiftly in a crisis. The program teaches vital lessons, including how to identify cardiac arrest, how to perform CPR, and when to use a defibrillator. “People don’t realize how rare it is to come through like I did,” he stresses, urging everyone to take CPR training seriously.
As Sam continues to recover, he remains focused on his goals: traveling the world, playing basketball, and living a life full of love. His story is a powerful reminder of the need for immediate action in promoting health education and life-saving skills.
With CPR training potentially saving lives, the urgency for initiatives like Classroom RevivR has never been more critical. Sam’s heart-stopping experience is now a rallying cry for safety and preparedness in schools across Wales.
