Communities in North Kilkenny will benefit from the availability of AED’s and further awareness of providing life-saving skills.
Johnstown and Crosspatrick Defibrillator group, which celebrates its 1st anniversary this month is involved in many promotions in their local communities to help raise awareness of the use of an AED and their locations.
There are currently seven Community First Responders (CFR’s) in the group while a further three more are due to join following training. Two outdoor cabinets have been purchased by the group as part of their 1st year anniversary.
Pic: (Johnstown & Crosspatrick Debrillator group) via their Facebook
In a report in this week’s ‘Kilkenny People’, CFR volunteer Cathy Dermody told reporter Mary Cody “We go out and attend calls for the National Ambulance Service. When they receive an emergency call they contact us and we go there while the person is waiting for paramedics. If someone needs life-saving assistance, then we are able to help and the group is all trained in First Aid.”
Art competitions are underway in primary schools in Johnstown, Crosspatrick and Galmoy and a separate art competition at Colaiste Mhuire. Judging will take place on 11th February at Saint Kieran’s Community Hall, Johnstown where an exhibition of all entries will take place. Judges include Councillor Mary Hilda Cavanagh, John Fitzgerald of CFR Ireland and Norma O’Donnell of the National Ambulance Service.
Recently, Johnstown and Crosspatrick’s CFR counterparts in nearby Galmoy have also been provided with an AED which is located at Sports Pavilion at Galmoy GAA.
Speaking to Mary Cody in the ‘Kilkenny People’, Cathy Dermody said “When someone suffers a cardiac arrest every second is crucial in whether they make a recovery or not. For every minute that passes the chance of survival drops by ten percent. It is vitally important not only to have defibrillators but also that people have easy access to them and know where they are located. Minutes save lives in these situations.”
*Source: Kilkenny People
