Midland Power Stations Hope Defibrillators Will Save Lives

During the construction of both West Offaly Power and Lough Ree Power stations, the staff decided that it would be a good idea to have their own defibrillator in each station and also to present a defibrillator to the local communities on both sides of the Shannon in Lanesboro and Shannonbridge.

This has proved a very popular and well-received gesture in both locations, where they are the first defibrillators available to the public in these communities. The staff at both stations are delighted to be associated with the handover of the defibrillators for use in the local community. The presentations took place during October and in addition a defibrillator has been put in place in both Lough Ree Power and West Offaly stations.

The defibrillator donated by the staff of West Offaly Power will be located in the Padraig Pearse GAA Club which is prominent in the Moore Area. Pauraic Egan, Chairman of Moore Community Council, thanked ESB while Jimmy Flynn, representing the Club, said it would be available at all times and they had already plans in place to train up a number of members in its use.

In Lanesboro the presentation was made to Teresa Costelloe, Manager, Lough Ree Development Co-op, who said the defibrillators would save lives in the area. "We hope that these devices will play a vital role in improving the survival rate for a person suffering from cardiac arrest in both Shannonbridge and Lanesboro and the surrounding areas," says Station Manager Pat Treanor.

Research has shown that the local availability of a defibrillator and someone who knows how to use it can significantly increase your chance of survival after a heart attack. Every year approximately 6,000 people in Ireland die from sudden cardiac arrest and around 70 per cent of these occur outside of a hospital

Research has shown that survival rates decrease by from 7-10% for every minute from the time the cardiac arrest occurs. Studies have also shown that the use of defibrillators in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases within the first ten minutes of the event occurring may result in a survival rate of up to 45 per cent.

Treatment within the first two minutes will improve the victim's chances of survival up to 80 per cent. Currently in Ireland the survivability rate for out-ofhospital cardiac arrest is just 1 per cent.

Defibrillators are essential in a "first-responder" capacity, especially in outlying areas. The defibrillator is a computerised machine which aids a user in conjunction with CPR skills to quickly treat a victim suffering from a sudden cardiac arrest before the arrival of an ambulance. "Defibrillators are also a very useful item to have at or near any sporting events," said Pat Treanor. "Many of us know of someone who suffered cardiac arrest at a match or other sporting event. They are invaluable in these circumstances and are as vital as fire extinguishers in many public places."