'Fearing CPR means the difference between life and death' say Laois first responders

Portlaoise Community First Responders are working to remove stigma and fear surrounding CPR and the use of defibrillators.

The new group of volunteers from Portlaoise have trained with the National Ambulance Service to respond to health emergencies in the locality. Their work has helped to bridge vital minutes spent waiting on an ambulance crew during health emergencies.

PCRF member Claire Dunne hopes that the group can inform locals that performing CPR or using an defibrillators is nothing to have reservations over.

"People are often hesitant in performing CPR or using defibrillators, out of fear that they may do something wrong," Ms Dunne explained to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

Pictured: Portlaoise Community First Responders at a recent 'Restart a Heart' event

"We hope to show people that AEDs are easy to use, and the majority of them have a function where it shows you what to do," she said.

"It can be overwhelming for people when there is a voice activated system telling you what to do, when you're in a scenario where someone is in cardiac arrest. 

"It is not as frightening as people would fear, people shouldn't be afraid of CPR and using a defibrillator. It has been proven that if you receive CPR within three minutes, you have a 70% chance of survival," Ms Dunne said.

Officially launching on January 4, the Portlaoise group have been busy making calls within their 5km radius of Lyster square.

"We have been to many stroke calls, and calls for heart issues and chest pains, these are mainly the ones we have received," said PCFR member Claire Dunne.

Pictured: An AED with photo instructions

"I have been out to three calls this morning alone. We are active in the community, yet a lot of people still don't know about us," she said.

"We have come across businesses in the town where they don't know where their defibrillator is, and where they don't know how to use it. This is another thing we are trying to work on. If you have an defibrillator, you never know when you'll have to use it," Ms Dunne said.

"It's a simple thing to do, and it could save a life."

Read more: Portlaoise Community First Responders take responsibility for four defibs in town

Ms Dunne became involved with the group through her own personal experiences, and has found the work extremely rewarding.

"The reason why I got involved is from my own personal experience, and I never want anyone to be in the position I have been in," Ms Dunne explained.

Pictured: Portlaoise Community First Responders attend one of their regular training sessions

"There is a fear element there, because its obviously a terrifying experience. I never want anyone to feel like they are alone while they're waiting on an ambulance," she said.

Of the calls the group have so far responded to, each call has had a successful outcome.

"We are going into a person's house, and their initial thought is often that we are the ambulance service," she said.

"Once we explain we are there to help them until the ambulance arrives, they're happy to have someone there with them helping in any way.

Read more: 'It could save someone's life': donate your Re-turn bottles for defibrillators in Portlaoise

"We want people to know that we are here in the community, to help in any way we can," she said.

PCFR welcome local schools and club to reach out for public information sessions.

"We are working on a programme where we hope to spread awareness in schools, so if there are any schools within the 5km radius of Lyster square that want us to come in, they can contact us on our social media," Ms Dunne said.

"The same goes for any organisations or sporting clubs, it's what we're here for. It is proven to work, and we want to prevent any unnecessary deaths," she said.