Diarmuid’sstorysparkssupport forIrishHeartFoundationrun
IF it wasn’t for the Irish Heart Foundation, Abbeyfeale teacher, Diarmuid O’Connell, firmly believes he would not be here today.
It was their training that helped save his life when he collapsed at a football game when playing for his home team of Cullen.
Some 10 minutes into the second-half, Diarmuid collapsed from a cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated by his friends, who thankfully knew CPR and how to use a defibrillator.
In a lucky coincidence, one of his friends and fellow players had in fact undertaken training with the Irish Heart Foundation prior to this incident; this knowledge helped save his life.
The incident occurred in February 2009 but, to this day, Diarmuid remains thankful for the work of the Irish Heart Foundation and he is now lending his weight to a call to take part in this year’s Tralee Solstice Run in aid of the Irish Heart Foundation. The run takes place at 7.30pm on Thursday, June 21.
“One of those playing with me had done a life-saving course with the Irish Heart Foundation, and they knew how to use a defibrillator and how to do CPR,” says Diarmuid. “It is very important to know CPR, as that is what keeps the blood going, and they had to do CPR on me for 20 minutes. There is a 10 per cent less chance of surviving every minute that CPR is not done.”
At the time, defibrillators were not common, but the Castlemagner club where they were playing at the time had one.
“I was absolutely haunted,” says Diarmuid “At the time there was a one per cent chance of survival out of hospital, but that has increased with defibrillators and training.”
Following his cardiac arrest Diarmuid’s mother first contacted the Irish Heart Foundation for advice, and from there the national organisation became a huge support to Diarmuid.
“I always support them, including through Happy Heart Day and any fundraising. They do great work,” he said.
In fact, Diarmuid has ensured that the students he teaches at Colaiste Ide agus Iosaef in Abbeyfeale are also training in CPR and defibrillator; it is thanks to the Irish Heart Foundation that he can do that as they provide the training kits through fund-raising.
The public can play their part in continuing the good work of the Irish Heart Foundation by supporting the Tralee Solstice Run. Registration is now open and spaces are filling up fast. Signup for the Tralee Summer Solstice is online at www.kerryultra.com, and the cost is €20.