CPR saves lives - Vital service

A number of events took place around the country on Saturday to mark National CPR day to raise awareness of the importance of learning first aid and, in particular, how to respond to a cardiac emergency.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving technique useful in many emergencies, including heart attack or near drowning, in which someone’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped. An average of 14 people a day die from cardiac related illnesses in Ireland and, of those, up to eight die in the company of another person.

It is hard to disagree with ‘Beating Again’, the group organising the events, which says that everyone who leaves secondary school should have a CPR certificate.

Perhaps that is something the Government should consider. While they are at it, they might also consider a major barrier to the supply of defibrillators, which are subject to a Vat rate of 23%.

Such lifesaving devices are not luxuries and should not be regarded as such.