DUBLIN Fire Brigade has issued a major warning over life-saving equipment, which is designed to save someone from having a cardiac arrest.
The Dublin fire crew shared an incredible story of a cardiac arrest survivor as they launched a new public access defibrillator in a housing estate area.
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Earlier this summer, Kevin Boylan collapsed after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest and quick-thinking Garda Sgt Will Garbutt was quick to perform CPR.
While the cop was performing CPR on Kevin, the bystanders rushed to the local GAA club to retrieve an AED to bring back to Kevin.
AED is short for Automated External Defibrillator, which analyses the heart’s rhythm and delivers an electrical shock to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.
Within minutes, the members of Tallaght CFR and Dublin Fire Brigade arrived on the scene due to their swift actions and the use of a defibrillator.
Due to the community’s help, Kevin’s heart was restarted, “giving him a second chance at life”.
On Tuesday, a moving ceremony was held at Watergate Estate in Tallaght to launch a new public access defibrillator, which was donated by Kevin to pay his thanks to Tallaght Community First Responders.
The community first responders are now available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year, meaning they’re available to respond to someone in need at any given time.
A spokesperson for Tallaght CFR said: “An AED is designed for use by anyone.
“The device will prompt the user on what steps to take in a cardiac emergency, you do not need any specific training to use these devices”.
Tallaght CFR have designed an interactive Google maps page on their website, tallaghtcfr.ie, revealing the available public access defibrillator locations in Tallaght and the surrounding areas.
For those living out of Tallaght and the surrounding areas, the locations on AED locations can be found on several websites that first pop up when you search ‘AED Ireland locations’.
How to use the AED?
The Automated External Defibrillators provide straightforward instructions on the machine, making it easier for people to follow to restart someone’s heart.
There are seven steps that should be used when caring for a non-breathing child aged 8 or older who weighs more than 55 pounds or an adult.
Before doing it, make sure to check the scene and ensure that the person needs help, ask a nearby bystander to call for medical support.
As soon as an AED is available, turn it on and follow the voice prompts as it guides you on restarting their heart.
You must remove all clothing covering the chest and place one pad on the upper right side of the chest and place the other pad on the lower left side of the chest, a few inches below the left armpit.
Plug the pad connector cable into the AED.
Prepare to let the AED analyze the heart’s rhythm, make sure no one is touching the person and say, ‘CLEAR!’ in a loud, commanding voice to ensure people step away from the person.
Deliver a shock if the AED determines one is needed, ensure that no one is touching the person and say ‘CLEAR!’ before pushing the shock button to deliver the shock.
After the AED delivers the shock, or if no shock is advised, immediately start CPR, beginning with compressions.
