Gordon Hayes of Hayes First Aid Supplies presenting the defibrillator and an outdoor heated cabinet to make it accessible 24 hours a day to School Principal William Curtin, Parent’s Council member Mary Smith and School Secretary Anna Brouder. — Killoughteen NS Defibrillator — Photo by George Daly
Last Thursday, January 12th was a historic day for the pupils and community of Killoughteen. A defibrillator was delivered and installed in Killoughteen NS. All teaching staff were also trained in CPR and use of the defibrillator.
The school held a Christmas carol service in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Newcastle West, before Christmas and parents and community members donated generously towards the purchase of this defibrillator.
Our hard working and very dedicated Parent’s Council have organised many fundraisers this school year and have empowered us to not only purchase the defibrillator but train the staff and purchase the outdoor storage box to make this accessible to the wider community.
Sincere thanks to Gordon Hayes, of Hayes First Aid, the Square, Newcastle West, for providing us with great advice, supplying the defibrillator, outdoor storage box and who also organised training for all teaching staff.
Approximately 10,000 people die from cardio-vascular disease every year in Ireland and it is estimated that 5,000 of these deaths are from a sudden cardiac arrest. 70% of cardiac arrests in Ireland occur out of hospital and usually in the presence of a family member or friend. (Taken from the Irish Heart Foundation website)
Our school is now much better equipped to deal with any sudden cardiac arrest situations that may arise in the future. All staff are trained in CPR and use of the defibrillator. Therefore, we are now more able to deliver additional links in the chain of survival as taken from the Irish Heart Foundation website. The Chain of Survival is only as strong as its weakest link and if any of the links are missing when someone suffers a sudden cardiac arrest, the chance of survival is limited.
Thank you to John Mulready and Gordon Hayes who trained all the staff. The course was very well conducted and each staff member now feels very competent in the use of and when to use the defibrillator.
Killoughteen National School Enrolments
Killoughteen NS will be sending out enrolment application forms in the coming weeks. If you wish to receive one please ring the school between 9am and 1pm to speak with Anna Brouder, school secretary. Alternatively, please leave a message and we will get back to you.