Call to register life-saving AEDs

Cavan County Council, National Ambulance Service, Cavan County Fire Service, and An Garda Síochána are calling on community groups, clubs, and businesses across County Cavan to register any Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) that they have on their premises.

Information collected will be used by the ambulance service to create a register of AEDs which can be used to direct first responders and members of the public to the nearest life-saving device in the event of a cardiac emergency. It will also help identify communities that are not well-served by defibrillators and help address those gaps in AED provision.

Filling out the online form atwww.cavancoco.ie/AED is straightforward and takes just a few minutes. Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Councillor Philip Brady, said, “This is a very worthy scheme and if even one life is saved by this initiative, then it will have been a great success. Defibrillators are great tool, but they need to be as accessible as possible to ensure they are available when needed. I would appeal to any organisation or club member or business owner to take a few moments to register their device today”.

Liam Stewart, Community Engagement Officer, North East, with the National Ambulance Service, said, “We are pleased to be part of this initiative to raise awareness of the locations of publicly accessible defibrillators. Early defibrillation dramatically improves a person's chance of survival in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest. While Irish people frequently perform CPR while the ambulance service is en route, defibrillation often doesn't happen until paramedics arrive”.

To register your AED, visit www.cavancoco.ie/AED.