Cardiac equipment needed at golf clubs, says study

TWENTY ONE people died of heart attacks on golf courses in Cork and Kerry over a four-year period.

The study by Dr Con Kelleher found the number of deaths on golf courses could be reduced if clubs had basic medical equipment.

Dr Kelleher undertook the study after three people died within a short space of each other at his local golf club in Macroom, Co Cork.

He discovered 21 people died from cardiac arrest while playing golf in Cork and Kerry between 1998 and 2002.

Dr Kelleher said lives could have been saved if clubs had defibrillators medical equipment that revives the heart by means of electric current.

Of the 54 golf clubs in the region, 46 supplied the GP with information. Only one, Tralee, had the life-saving equipment.

The study showed there were 12 deaths on courses in Cork and nine in Kerry.

In total, 19 people died on 18-hole courses, with just two on nine-hole.

The average age of those who died was 58, the youngest was 42.

"Most golfers know somebody who died on a golf course. Clubs don't record the actual ages of members, but the vast majority are males and middle-aged."

Dr Kelleher said if CPR (artificial resuscitation) was applied immediately it could save some people. But the only way to correct abnormal heart rhythm is with electronic defibrillator equipment.

Portable machines can be purchased for as little as €1,800, he said.

"With a bit of training anyone can use them. All courses should have them and their staff should be trained to use them," Dr Kelleher said.

He said training courses in CPR and spotting the signs of heart attack should also be given, where possible, to all players.

Getting to a heart attack victim quickly is critical to their survival. On golf courses they can be a long way from the clubhouse.

However, the GP suggested golfers carry a mobile phone with them, which could be switched on in an emergency, and that a trained member of staff would be on standby with a defibrillator and caddy car ready to get to the scene.

Dr Kelleher is to send copies of his report and recommendations to the clubs that took part in the survey, and to their governing body, the Golfing Union of Ireland (GUI).

A spokesman for the GUI said they were awaiting receipt of the report and would comment when they had studied it.