Waterford company NAS Training Centre, is behind the drive to compile and publish a comprehensive database of AED’s (Automated External Defibrillator) available in Waterford City, in preparation for the country’s largest quayside party – the Tall Ships Festival.
The premise of the database is to contain the locations of AED’s, in and around Waterford City. With an anticipated 500,000 visitors to Waterford City over the Tall Ships weekend, the availability of information about where AED’s are situated should help alleviate any potential tragedy.
The idea is the brainchild of Danette Connolly of NAS Training Centre, which first introduced the AED register in 2009. According to Ms. Connolly, “Back in 2009 we called on businesses, sports and social clubs to furnish us with details about their AED’s. As a result dozens of businesses contacted us and the information we compiled was also useful in campaigning to get more AED’s strategically located around Waterford City and County.”
“Waterford will experience one of the world’s most vibrant, colourful festivals over four jam packed days and the Tall Ships Festival will bring half a million visitors, tourists and families to our city. That is why we feel a comprehensive register of AED’s will be invaluable in the event that someone suffers a sudden cardiac event. The register will contain the names and addresses of individuals and businesses throughout the city that have an AED and if someone finds themselves requiring an AED, will know exactly where the nearest is located to them.”
Ms. Connolly added “Where concentrated volumes of people gather, there is a heightened risk of one of those suffering from a sudden cardiac event. In Ireland approximately 10,000 people die each year from cardiovascular disease (CVD), coronary heart disease, stroke and other circulatory diseases. That’s why we feel that precautionary measures such as the AED register will inform and enlighten people about where the nearest AED is and assist those who are responding to any emergencies during the Tall Ships Festival.”
However, Ms. Connolly stressed that anyone confronted with a medical emergency should firstly call the emergency services.
Declan Barry of the Waterford Marine Search and Rescue has backed this initiative. He said “The arrival of the Tall Ships to Waterford in June is undoubtedly one of Ireland’s most prestigious maritime festivals. With up to half a million visitors expected in the city we strongly feel that any measures to assist us and the authorities in providing optimum safety measures is welcome.”
“The publication of the AED register is a great idea. By businesses working together to ensure that any emergencies can be dealt with swiftly and efficiently we anticipate a fun and memorable weekend for Waterford.”
To register the details of your AED please visit www.nas.ie or call 051 333960 for more information.
Upon completion, the AED register will be available to download from the NAS Training website.
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