RED CROSS HONOUR FOR DEDICATED AIDAN
LOCAL man Aidan Maguire (63) was presented with a special medal of honour from the Red Cross to mark 40 years with the organisation.
Aidan joined the Red Cross in his youth because he had an interest in First Aid and the training centre was located so close to home.
Aidan, who worked with An Post for 30 years, said he was thrilled to receive the accolade to mark 40 years of service with the organisation.
The medal was presented to him at the AGM in Drogheda recently by branch chairman Pat McGahey.
During his four decades with the organisation, Aidan has seen huge changes with the introduction of modern technology such as defibrilators saving many lives, but says all that is needed to administer basic first aid is a pair of disposable gloves, a handkerchief for applying pressure and a mobile phone.
And he has first hand experience having used his medical experience on numerous occasions. Aidan, from Thomas Street, lives with his 93-year-old Mum and has put his skills into practice several times, including one serious incident when she had a stroke and another when she scalded herself with hot water. ‘After calling an ambulance, I was able to cool it down and administer treatment while we waited for it to come,’ said Aidan.
‘ The advantage of having first aiders on the scene is that they are on the spot and can start to administer treatment straight away whereas when you call an ambulance it takes time for it to get there,’ explained Aidan. ‘We can deal with anything from a stroke to a heart attack.’
He said training and technology has changed hugely over the years, with the introduction of defibrilators but said the basic skills remain the same.