A database on defibrillators was launched in the Laois County Council offices today, Thursday, August 2.
The database contains information on all defibrillators around the county, what hours they are available and training on how to use them.
Currently, there are 120 defibrillators in Laois – three times more than the number researcher Dr Peter Naughton was originally told. There are now plans to have more brought into areas like Main Street Portlaoise and the Square in Stradbally.
Although there are a high number of defibrillators in Laois, many of them are not available the public at all times, due to being in private locations.
Organiser of the database, former medical consultant Peter Naughton, Derek Phelan, Seamus Moran and Sheila Coyle presented their findings at the launch to attendees from the Laois Age Friendly Alliance, Portlaoise Lions Club, Portarlington First Responders, the HSE and elected members and staff of Laois County Council.
Of the 120 defibrillators in Laois, Portlaoise is the location with the highest number of defibrillators at 30, the GAA in Laois own 20, while Mountmellick comes in third with nine.
Portarlington and Abbeyleix both have five each, while Rathdowney/Errill and Clonaslee and Rosenallis combined have five each. There are at least two in every village in the county.
Laois could be leading the way
Dr Naughton said he hopes that AED Emergency Defibrillator signs become as recognisable as the McDonalds sign or Coca-Cola symbol.
He added that Laois could, ‘lead the way’ for this collection and use of data if the use of apps to show where the nearest defibrillators.
A defibrillator costs anything from €900 to €1,300, and if it is outside it needs to be stored in a box which costs €400.
Money has been pledged from the Portlaoise Lions Club, the HSE and from Laois County Council to help fund defibrillators and training on how to use defibrillators.
Cathaoirleach John King commended Dr Naughton and members of the Laois Age Friendly Alliance on setting this database into action: “The saving of a life is the most important cause we could ever hope to support. The thing about this committee is that it’s a do – committee, not a talking committee.”
A defibrillator is something that everyone can use
Dave Lannigan from the Portarlington First Repsonders group spoke about how anyone can use a defibrillator, and that using it is not something that people should fear.
“We are a community response group with 24 hour cover. Your community responder is your local fishmonger, librarian – we’re normal people who just receive training and every day is a school day – we’re always learning,” said Dave.
For the future, the group hopes to advertise locations where defibrillators are available, create apps and visual media of where these locations are, and provide training to those who would like to learn how to use a defibrillator.
To use a defibrillator, a person must:
1. Make sure the patient is dry.
2. Turn on the defibrillator
3. Prepare the chest area and apply the pads onto the bare chest
4. Let the AED analyse the situation.
5. Shock the victim if necessary.
6. Continue CPR.
Laois county councillors such as Mary Sweeney, John Joe Fennelly, Caroline Dwane Stanley, Pauline Madigan, Seamus McDonald and Paddy Bracken all praised the research and development behind the database.
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