Our Red Cross Cadets are tops

DUNDALK’S Red Cross Cadets proved that they are the best in the country when they took first place in both the team and individual events at the national competition in Gormanstown recently.

They showed that they were cool headed and could react under pressure as they responded to a number of simulated medical emergencies, when they competed against finalists from around the country.

The team of Aaron Taylor (16), Red Barns Road, leader, and Cian Carroll (14), Father Murray Park, Elliot Guest (14) St Bridget’s Terrace, Chloe Cumisky (14), Glenwood Close, showed that they were able to work together and communicate effectively as they responded to another number of surprise scenarios. They provided treatment to ‘patients’ with heart attacks, fractures, spinal injuries, bleeding, burns, seizures and administered CPR.

Cadet Amy Maguire (14) from Cluan Enda also took first place in the indivual category as she responded to a number of similar scenarios. She was assessed on how quickly she reacted to the emergency situations and on the information she provided as she called the emergency services as well as the treatment she gave while waiting for an ambulance to arrive.

‘It was a very challenging competition for them as they didn’t know in advance what they would be dealing with,’ says Cadet Unit Officer Carol Cumiskey, who was Amy’s trainer. The team was trained by Dean McAleavey.

Carol, who is also vice-president of Dundalk Red Cross, praised all the Cadets for their dedication and hard work in preparing for the competition.

‘We knew it was going to be a very tough competition this year as the standard seems to get higher and higher each year. They came to training four times a week in the four months coming up to the competition,’ she says.

Dundalk Red Cross has forty Cadets and thirteen leaders.’ We have a very good programme which deals with issues such as bullying and mental health as well as first aid,’ says Carol. A group of 53, aged from four to sixteen, travelled to Athlone for the National Youth Forum last week.

Carol Cumiskey, Trainer with Amy Maguire who won the National Individual Cadet award at the National Red CRoss Competitions held in Gormanston.

Chloe Cumiskey, Cian Carroll, Aaron Taylor and Elliot Guest, Red Cross Dundalk who won the National Cadet award at the National Red Cross Team Competitions held in Gormanston.