Heart patient: Swift action saved my life

A man whose heart stopped during a game of soccer has paid an emotional tribute to the emergency services who saved his life.

Con O’Donovan, 38, from Boherbue in north Cork, said that if it was not for the swift actions of paramedics, he would not be alive today and looking forward to the birth of his third child.

“I was unconscious and have no memory of the whole event,” Con said.

“Thanks to the swift actions of my team mates and the staff at the Banteer facility where I was playing soccer, the emergency services were alerted and arrived within eight minutes.

“I was transported to Cork University Hospital and regained consciousness two weeks later.”

Con was diagnosed with aortic valve stenosis (AS) in 1995 — a disease which causes a narrowing of the aortic valve and causes the blood to the heart to stop flowing.

He was being closely monitored over the years but displayed no symptoms.

He felt well as he left for a game at Banteer indoor soccer pitch one evening in April. However, 10 minutes into the game, he collapsed and his teammates raised the alarm.

Kanturk para-medic ambulance crew and local people, including Sheila Foley, a theatre nurse based at Mallow General Hospital, rushed to the scene and began to perform CPR.

Advanced paramedic Paul O’Driscoll, based in North Cork, arrived a short time later.

“My paramedic colleagues Pat Larkin and Liam Healy continued CPR and defibrillated the patient while Sheila assisted me to perform an endotracheal intubation to secure the patient’s airway,” said Mr O’Driscoll.

“Sheila also ventilated the patient while I obtained an intraosseous access route [via the patient’s shin bone] in order to administer appropriate medication.”

Con was defibrillated nine times as cardiac drugs were administered.

Newmarket-based GP Zelie Gaffney and paramedic Paddy Moore arrived from Millstreet.

The medics continued for 35 minutes before Con finally responded, and was stabilised for transfer to Cork University Hospital.

His recovery was slow and difficult but he was finally discharged from hospital in May to build up his strength for an operation to repair the damage to his heart.

Con underwent the operation two weeks ago and is recovering well.

National Ambulance Service medical director Cathal O’Donnell said Con’s case is a good example of all the links in the chain of survival working to save a life.