Firefighters see people at their worst moments. Now, so does everyone else

Last week, in Cork we saw a new low. While a young man tragically lost his life in the Lee, dozens of people thought of their social media. There was little to no attempt to throw in a lifebuoy, writes Fire Officer Kevin Higgins

Kevin Higgins. Picture: Neil Michael

The woman had been down for five minutes before we arrived. A paramedic from the National Ambulance Service got there at the same time as us, and together we made our way into the bar, laden down with medical bags and defibrillators. 

A pale-faced young barman ushered us towards a corner of the bar. I checked for breathing. Nothing. The firefighters with me had already gotten the airways and defibrillator set up and we immediately began chest compressions.