Defibrillator saves GAA spectator’s life
Tuesday March 30 2010
A defibrillator presented to a GAA club by a primary school in Shannon helped save the life of a man on Saturday after he collapsed while watching his son play hurling.
The middle-aged man was watching the U-21 hurling championship game between St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield and Clonlara at Wolfe Tones GAA club in Shannon when he collapsed.
Two nurses and several other bystanders quickly ran to the man’s aid. The nurses determined that he was suffering from cardiac arrest and immediately sent for the club’s defibrillator.
The nurses administered CPR and used the defibrillator to revive the man while waiting for paramedics to arrive.
Witnesses described the man as gravely ill when paramedics arrived. They spent some time treating him at the scene before he was rushed to hospital.
The man is now said to be recovering well in hospital.
The Wolfe Tones club, and those who helped out on the day, have been praised for their efforts in resuscitating the man.
St Joseph’s club secretary Mr Dan O’Connor said: “We are very grateful that there were so many people there to help but we have to compliment the Wolfe Tones club for having such a vital piece of lifesaving equipment when it was needed. Having a defibrillator in a club, as we have ourselves, is absolutely essential and every club in the country should have one.”
The Wolfe Tones club was presented with their defibrillator almost two years ago after money was raised by the students of the nearby St Conaire’s primary school.
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