New defibrillators for Newtown
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Tom Boland and Criona Boland of Defibs for Life Nenagh pictured with Laura Stanley of Newtown Community Defib Group beside the new defibillator located at Youghal Quay.Image 2 of 5
The cabinet box that contains the defibrillator at Youghal Quay.Image 3 of 5
In the heart of the community in Newtown, the defibrillator is based at Barry’s. pub.Image 4 of 5
People are familiar with the bright yellow casing containing the defibrillator.Image 5 of 5
Pictured left to right, Harry Caulfield, Heather Caulfield, Olive O’Donnell, Hannah Caulfield, Roisin Taylor, Catriona Cleary, Paula O’Dwyer, Criona Boland, Laura Stanley. Handing over proceeds from World Cup fundraiser at Barry’s pub today.By Anna Powell
After a successful fundraising drive by the Newtown Community Defib Group, which was well supported by the community, the group raised enough funds to replace a defibrillator located at Barry’s Pub in Newtown and to add a second defibrillator within the community at Youghal Quay.
Laura Stanley, of the Newtown Community Defib Group, commented: “The idea behind it was to make sure that we had defibrillators in the community at different points, in case they were ever needed to be used.
“Youghal Quay is used throughout the year. Lots of people visiting the area, locals use it quiet a lot. So, we felt it was important to be able to offer a defib to the area in case it was ever needed,” expressed Laura Stanley as to why it was important for the group to set up a second location for a defibrillator.
“While its near to Barry’s, it’s not that near if you are in that critical situation,” she added pointing out that the roads leading up and down to the quay can be quite narrow and dangerous to drive in a time sensitive and panicked situation.
Similarly, members of the boat yard in Youghal Quay will also have access to the defibrillator, which is located on the boatyards' wall.
“We contacted Sue and Nigel Smithwick about getting permission to use the boatyard wall,” explained Laura, as the cabinet for the defibrillator needs to be attached to a power source.
Fundraising within the community
The Newtown Community Defib Group organised a successful 'World Cup' themed fundraiser in Barry’s Pub, to originally raise funds for the defibrillator and with the hope of bringing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillator training to members of the community.
“We had a fundraiser as a committee around the World Cup, and the local community supported us very well. We have managed to obtain a second defibrillator for the area,” added Laura, highlighting the success of their fundraising efforts.
“There was a bit of fun in the community, people were very supportive and we did better than we thought we would,” she explained.
The Newtown Community Defib Group is hoping to run CPR and Defibrillator Courses for the local community in the coming months. There will be more information on their social media pages (@Newtowncommunity.defib).
“Its all about giving someone a chance,” expressed Laura Stanley on behalf of the groups as to why it is so important to have defibrillators available in within the community.
Use of the defibrillator
“The hope would be that they are never used,” expressed Tom Boland of Defibs for Life Nenagh, highlighting how the devices are there to help someone in an emergency.
Throughout North Tipperary, all of the defibrillator cabinets that have been set up by Defibs for Life Nenagh are always kept unlocked, so that anyone can access the device at any time.
“The defibrillator when its open, it tells you exactly what to do, step by step,” explained Criona Boland of Defib for Life Nenagh. She added that an individual does not need medical training to use the device in an emergency.
If an incident occurs, people are advised to call emergency services straight away, to call for help from people nearby if possible, and to obtain a defibrillator and begin CPR as soon as possible.
“Any CPR is better than no CPR,” expressed Tom Boland as he stressed that it is vital to take action as soon as possible after calling emergency services.
The cases for the defibrillator also contains a small First Aid kit to assist someone using the defibrillator, such as a shears for cutting clothes. The defibrillator at the Quay also contains a small towel, as someone would have to be dried off before the defibrillator can be used on them if they have previously been in the water.
Located on Google Maps
Defibs for Life Nenagh have the location for all of their defibrillators online, so that they can be quickly located in an emergency.
“We have them all mapped on Google Maps. If you type ‘Defibrillator in Nenagh’, it will show the full map of them,” commented Tom.