GAA Medical, Scientific and Welfare Event to mark World Restart a Heart Day

The GAA's Medical, Scientific & Welfare Committee, in conjunction with the Irish Heart Foundation, hosted a HeartSaver CPR AED Course in Croke Park on Saturday October 17th, to help mark World Restart a Heart Day. The course was run for National Referees & staff members from the GAA, LGFA & Camogie Association, as well as Croke Park match day stewards. It was hugely positive to see over 40 attendees attend on the day and successfully complete the training, which was delivered by qualified instructors from The Gaelic Games & RNLI Basic First Aid Course initiative.

The GAA’s MSW committee were delighted to be joined on the day by former Down Senior Hurling Goalkeeper, Stephen Keith, who was able to share his experiences and thoughts around the importance of CPR training and access to AEDS, having suffered a cardiac arrest earlier this year.

Stephen collapsed following a gym session, and a trained nurse who happened to be in attendance commenced CPR immediately, while others left quickly to retrieve defibrillators nearby. Stephen explained to attendees the importance of knowing key CPR skills and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in an emergency situation.

The Heartsaver CPR AED course teaches the basic techniques of CPR, how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and the relief of choking for adults, children and infants and is an extremely beneficial course for use in both a Gaelic games context, and in everyday life.

The GAA’s Cardiac Health section, including guidance on the use and maintenance of AEDs, can be accessed here - https://learning.gaa.ie/cardiachealth

Clubs interested in hosting a Gaelic Games/RNLI Basic First Aid Course can express their interest via this landing page - https://learning.gaa.ie/firstaid

Further information from the Irish Heart Foundation can be accessed here - https://irishheart.ie/