Seniors learn ‘shock tactics’ to help save lives

Meet the senior citizens whose shocking behaviour could just save your life.

Members of a Cork senior citizens’ club, who range in age from 70 to 92, are being trained to use automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) and to perform CPR.

The members of St Mary’s on the Hill senior citizens’ club in Knocknaheeny will soon be qualified to use the life-saving AED device, which delivers an electric shock directly to the heart of a heart-attack victim.

The course was devised as a result of the successful emergency services expo which took place in Cork City last year. Supt Con Cadogan, who played a key role organising that event, said organisers wanted to develop a lasting legacy.

Community gardaí Tony Gardiner and Adrian Cole set to work with the Irish Red Cross developing a CPR and defibrillator training scheme for the residents of Hollymount estate. A member of every household underwent AED training.

An AED device, with access controlled by a keypad, will be installed soon on one of the homes, with only the trained residents having the security code.

The scheme was then extended to the senior citizens’ club.

Chairman, Pat Cooney, 74, said: “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d get involved in something like this at my age. You can learn something every day,” he joked.

“Hopefully we will never have to use one of these machines but one of them helped save that footballer, Muamba, who was dead for 78 minutes. Did you ever think you could be brought back after 78 minutes?”

Red Cross trainer, Ted Noonan, said AEDs are very easy to use, once a person has been trained.

“It’s why it’s so important to have these machines in public locations. It can buy a patient more time,” he said.

But he said it is critical an ambulance is called while the AED is being used.

The training is sponsored by former Ireland rugby and Munster lock Mick O’Driscoll, who runs the north city and Cork county franchise for Home Instead, the senior care provider.

“It’s a wonderful initiative and shows you’re never too old to learn,” he said.

“And the great thing is that these people are taking responsibility themselves, for themselves. It’s enabling them to live independently and stay at home.

“I’ve seen defibrillators on training pitches — there was one with us all the time and it’s great to see them in the community now.

“You just never know when you’ll need one.”