Residents complete training in use of new defibrillators

Residents complete training in use of new defibrillators

27 April 2016

A NUMBER of residents in the Newcastle, Dundrum and Castlewellan areas recently completed lifesaving CPR and defibrillator training.

The training was organised by the Donard Fundraising Group which has been spearheading a campaign to have defibrillators provided across the district for the public to use in emergency situations.

The free training course held at Age Concern’s conference suite in Newcastle was organised by the Donard Group in conjunction with Reg Bell from Age Concern and Heartstart’s Lisburn and Mid Down branch.

Anne Rowan, one of the group’s volunteers, said the organisation is “hugely indebted” to everyone who attended the training course to acquire important skills to help save a life in the event of sudden cardiac emergency.

She said it is essential as more towns and villages across the district have 24-hour access to defibrillators and that people are trained how to use them, along with performing CPR. 

The defibrillator in Newcastle is located outside the Mind Your Mate & Yourself premises at the Dundrum Road, while the lifesaving device in Castlewellan is beside the cash dispensing machine at the Fresh Food Centre at the Dublin Road. Dundrum’s defibrillator is located outside Brennan’s Spar at Main Street.

Anne thanked Lynda Donaldson, Graham Walsh and Stephen Erskine from Heartstart for providing such crucial and exceptional training and Mr Bell and the committee members of Age Concern for kindly allowing their premises to be used.

Reg said he was “humbled and delighted” Age Concern was able to host the training course with the help of the Donard Group.

“After seeing Newcastle’s first public defibrillator installed lots of people, myself included, have been extremely eager to learn how to use it,” he continued. “I was very impressed by the enthusiasm and willingness of the 20 course participants who left the training much more confident and proficient in performing CPR and using these amazing defibrillators.”  

The Donard Group is organising another free CPR and defibrillator training course at Age Concern’s Newcastle base on Tuesday, May 24 at 7pm. To reserve a place, contact Reg or Valerie at Age Concern, the Donard Fundraising Group Facebook page or text your name to 07599 809280.