Defibrilators needed at Blue Flag beaches

It is good to read in your newspaper (Irish Examiner, Mar 20) that Fabrice Muamba, the Bolton midfielder, is making progress and that he will hopefully make a full recovery and be able to return to action with his club. His surviving a cardiac arrest highlights the importance of having appropriate treatment facilities immediately to hand.

It is for that very reason I proposed at the March meeting of Kerry County Council that lifeguards on all Blue Flag beaches should have competence in the use of, and ready access to, defibrillators. Many people, with fitness levels far short of Mr Muamba’s, visit those beaches and sometimes undertake quite vigorous exercises such as climbing sand dunes, swimming and running on the warm sand.

Having people competent in the use of defibrillators on lifeguard duty could well save lives and would also act as a reassurance to all visitors. The cost of the machines would be relatively small, while the benefits would be life-enhancing.