Battery removed from AED
A PUBLIC Access AED in Roundwood was tampered with after the battery was removed from the potentially life-saving device.
Dearbhla Cronin, Roundwood CFR Group Coordinator, said it was fortunate that a fellow group member noticed the AED wasn’t working as they attempted to access it from its case, which is located at Roundwood Parish Hall.
‘We had three call-outs over the weekend, which just showcases how important public access AEDs are. We are a critical stop-gap in the chain of survival,’ said Dearbhla.
She added: ‘Luckily one of our members noticed there was a problem and found the battery discarded in the box. If they hadn’t have noticed, then that AED would not have worked in an emergency situation, which could have resulted in disastrous consequences.’
A Public Access AED in Roundwood was tampered with after the battery was removed from the potentially life-saving device.
The AED in question is contained in a case located in Roundwood Parish Hall.
On Friday a member of Roundwood Cardiac First Responders found that the AED case had been opened and the AED battery pack removed, leaving it useless in an emergency situation. It is believed the AED was interfered with sometime between Friday and the previous weekend.
Dearbhla Cronin, Roundwood CFR Group Coordinator, said it was fortunate that a fellow group member noticed the AED wasn’t working as they attempted to access it.
‘We had three call-outs over the weekend, which just showcases how important public access AEDs are. We are a critical stop gap in the chain of survival. The AED is contained in a metal box with two clips on either side. The battery is also attached with two clips so it takes a considerable amount of effort to try and remove the battery. Luckily one of our members noticed there was a problem and found the battery discarded in the box. If they hadn’t have noticed, that AED would not have worked in an emergency situation, which could have resulted in disastrous consequences,’ said Dearbhla.
Roundwood CFR are the longest standing first responders group in the country having formed in 2005 alongside groups in Laragh and Moneystown. They also have AEDs located at Djouce Golf Club, Prices Garage, Lough Dan Scout Centre, Roundwood National School, Biking.ie at Ballinastoe Woods and Roundwood GAA Complex.
Cllr Shay Cullen feels the use of a defibrillator to revive Don Jackman on Friday night after he collapsed in Coolkenno highlights just how important public AEDs can be.
‘If ever there was a sign over how important these life-saving devices are for communities then Friday’s incident was it. I am heavily involved with Roundwood GAA and it’s important that all local sporting organisations have quick and easy access to an AED. They have to be ready to use without fail. Fortunately, one of the Roundwood Community First Responders noticed that AED wasn’t working while accessing the unit. What would have happened if someone needed access to that AED without anyone knowing it had been tampered with and wasn’t working? Not so long ago we had a road race in Roundwood where a defibrillator was needed to save the life of a man. The AEDs have a history of use in Roundwood,’ said Cllr Cullen.