Red Cross heroes bring man back to life

Two Navan heroes were part of a lightening-quick Red Cross ambulance team that brought a man back to life at a car rally last Sunday week. Grainne Carolan and Joe Quade, both from Navan, were two of a three-member volunteer Red Cross ambulance crew that saved the life of a middle-aged man who's heart stopped at the annual Monaghan Autocross Hollywood, Ballinode, Co Monaghan. The crew, which also featured Monaghan volunteer Rory Daly, was called to assist a man reported to have collapsed. As they arrived on the scene the man went into cardiac arrest and the specially-trained volunteers acted immediately by administering CPR before using their automated external defibrillator (AED) device to administer two shocks in an attempt to allow the man's heart to restart naturally. The quick response was successful and the man was sitting up and talking within minutes of having gone into arrest. "This is a very welcome result; we are delighted that the patient made such a speedy recovery. "It is unusual for someone who has just suffered cardiac arrest to be sat up and chatting so quickly" said Grainne. "When he arrived at the hospital the doctors were shocked to see him looking so well. It's truly a remarkable recovery." "The quick response of the volunteers in Monaghan highlights the importance of having readily available AEDs and also trained volunteers who are able to use them" said Darryl Coen, regional director of units at the Irish Red Cross. As standard requirement all Irish Red Cross ambulances, of which there is a current fleet of 114 around Ireland, carry AEDs. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer with the Irish Red Cross should contact their local branch or visit www.redcross.ie for more details.