Laois locals learn first aid to bridge 'vital minutes' waiting on ambulances

Portlaoise Community First Responders (PCFR) have recently held a "Restart a Heart" information evening, where attendees were shown the importance of CPR in life-threatening situations.

The new group of volunteers from Portlaoise have trained with the National Ambulance Service to respond to health emergencies in the locality. 

"The event was fantastic, there was a good turnout," said Claire Dunne, PCFR fundraiser co-ordinator.

"Because we are only launching in November, we haven't responded to emergencies yet, but we want the community to get to know us, and to inform them on the importance of urgent responses to medical emergencies," she explained.

"it was our first time to host a public event, the purpose was to highlight the importance of CPR and how effective it is for out of hospital cardiac arrests. We had a representative from the National Ambulance Service, Dr Peter Naughton from the hospital, and representatives from Laois Volunteer Centre," Ms Dunne said.

Pictured: the recent 'Restart a Heart' event held by Portlaoise Community First Responders.

On the night, the group had CPR demonstrations with equipment on display, and answered questions to the public.

"The biggest thing with CPR is that timing is of the essence," said Ms Dunne.

"For every minute that passes, a person's brain is deprived of oxygen. The quicker you begin CPR, the higher the chances of survival."

The 2023 Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest report stated that 43% of people to respond first to a cardiac arrest are community first responders. 

"This really highlights the importance of having the group in community, there's a huge need for them," said Ms Dunne.

"A lot of people are inclined to think that because Portlaoise has a hospital, everything will be okay. It's through no one's fault, but the ambulance response times aren't instant- they could already be dispatched.

Pictured: Portlaoise Community First Responders.

"I know from my own personal experience that people don't always make it due to these delays. So it's really important that we get up and running in the community," she said.

The group are due to launch on November 25, and will provide the service 24/7 in a 5km radius from Portlaoise town centre.

"We have some equipment, but we need to buy more AEDs for our team, they could be the difference between life and death," Ms Dunne said.

An AED is an automated external defibrillator, and costs around €1,200 to buy. This equipment could mean the difference between life or death for many patients.

PCFR must source the funding for their kits and medical equipment themselves, which in total is around €8,000-€10,000.

The group have launched a Re-Turn initiative to raise funds for the purchasing of AED kits, and have asked local schools and businesses to donate their plastic bottles to fund these vital pieces of equipment.

Pictured: A public demonstration from PCFR.

"We will oversee the maintenance of local AED's and fundraising to install more public AED's once we are up and running," Ms Dunne explained.

"The population of Portlaoise is 23,000, and as it stands there are only four public access AEDs within a 5km radius of the town. We hope to change that, and to inform the public through information sessions in the future.

"Mullhall's Supervalu have agreed to be a designated drop of point for us, they have a storage unit for the bottles. Re-turn contacted us to say that if any businesses or schools want to take a bin for us, they would arrange for delivery of the bins free of charge," she explained.

"Martin Reddin Construction Company and Allbooks have been brilliant in supporting us so far. If any business, school etc want to have bins or bags for the re-turns scheme they can contact us through social media or our email address, portlaoisecfrfundraising@gmail.com," Ms Dunne finished.

Portlaoise Community First Responders will attend the Ogra Live Well Expo in Mountmellick Community College on 20th November. 

You can find out more about Portlaoise Community First Responders here.