Crokes GAA club members learn how to save lives

John O’Shea gets hands-on CPR training from Anne Nagle, 0rder of Malta Killarney Unit with, at back, Brian O’Callaghan, Frances O’Sullivan, Noel Ryan, Eamonn Fitzgerald, Healthy Club Officer, Trish Murphy, Order of Malta, John Payne, Miriam Lyne Corcoran and Caroline Horgan

Dr Crokes GAA Club has embarked on an initiative with the Killarney unit of the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps that may have the impact of saving lives.

The Healthy Club initiative will provide certified training for its members as cardiac first responders in response to confirmation that heart disease is one of the biggest killers in Ireland.

Dr Crokes Healthy Club Officer, Eamonn Fitzgerald, pointed out that approximately 10,000 people die of heart failure and strokes in this country each year and intervention by cardiac first responders can save people’s lives.

Eamonn Fitzgerald

The target is that each hurling and football team, from under 13 right through to senior and mothers and others, will have two members of the management team or players qualified in CPR, the correct use of a defibrillator and first aid to deal with emergencies that may arise such as how to deal with choking.

Members of the Order of Malta involved in the initiative include Donal McCarthy, Anne Nagle, Noel Lucey, Fiona McMahon, Lorraine Fleming, Trish Murphy and Clare Looney

Two Dr Crokes groups have already undergone specialist training with further sessions planned for September 11 and 13.

The training takes place in the Dr Crokes clubhouse from 7.00pm to 9.00pm and details are available from Healthy Club Officer, Eamonn Fitzgerald.

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