NAS and Solas Centres get heart - wise!

A local company which is the driving force behind the provision of AED and CPR training in the city has teamed up with the Solas Centre, the South East’s cancer support service centre, to provide training in the use of AED (Automated External Defibrillators).

Throughout May NAS Training Centre will deliver a series of free training courses to the Solas Centre on AED instruction and practice along with adult and child CPR.

According to Ray Power, General Manager NAS Training Centre, the importance of AED and CPR skills can never be underestimated.  “In Ireland approximately 10,000 people die each year from cardiovascular disease (CVD), coronary heart disease, stroke and other circulatory diseases.  Proficiency and knowledge about what to do if this situation ever arises is paramount.”

 “We offered these informative and practical courses to the volunteers, clients and staff at the Solas Centre in order to allow them to deal competently and capably if ever such a situation arises and also because we greatly admire and respect the work of the Solas Centre.”

Ray added, “The course is designed for those with a duty to respond to an emergency in the workplace environment and the participants will learn by practicing all the steps of AED and CPR under the guidance of a qualified instructor.”

Each year 2,000 people are diagnosed with cancer across Waterford, Wexford, Tipperary, Carlow and Kilkenny.  Since opening its doors at Ardkeen over three years ago, the Solas Centre has provided support services, such as counselling, relaxation therapies and group support services to over 1,000 people affected by cancer and anticipates that the numbers visiting the Centre in 2013 will continue to rise.

Mick Nevin, Manager of the Solas Centre is delighted that the staff and volunteers will undertake such a practical course.  “At the Solas Centre our staff and volunteers receive the highest level of training in all relevant disciplines and we are delighted that NAS invited us to partake on these AED and CPR courses which will give our staff and volunteers the knowledge and skills to deal any cardiac or circulatory emergencies.”

“The philosophy of the Solas Centre is manifold; to provide cancer patients and their families with a safe place to talk things over and to help them cope with living with cancer.  It also will work closely with the hospitals of the region in promoting and supporting patient-focused, cutting-edge cancer research and continues not only to educate people about cancer prevention, but also to change our mindset around cancer,” Mick added.

For further information about courses available at NAS Training Centre call 051 333960 or visit www.nas.ie.  For information about the Solas Centre and the services it provides call 051 304604 or visit www.solascentre.ie

Ability Matters presents AED to Christ Church Cathedral

Christ Church Cathedral was recently presented with an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) by Ability Matters. While the Cathedral is primarily a place of worship it is also a major civic resource embracing artistic, cultural and ecumenical life in the city.

As an historic building and a very popular venue for concerts, recitals and exhibitions it contributes to the cultural tapestry of Waterford.

Experiencing a vast throughput of worshippers and visitors each week the Christ Church Cathedral committee was aware of the need for its staff to be proficient in AED and CPR.

Susan Grant, Tourism and Marketing Manager of Christ Church, said that the offer of an AED couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. “The committee had, for some time, been discussing acquiring an AED for the cathedral. When Ability Matters offered to supply us with an AED we were delighted to accept and were very grateful of the offer.”

“Although we hope there won’t be a need for it, the AED and the training we undertook with NAS Training Centre have given us the confidence and ability to respond to an emergency situation. All members of staff, clergy and some select vestry members are now trained.”

In Ireland approximately 10,000 people die each year from cardiovascular disease (CVD), coronary heart disease, stroke and other circulatory diseases. Where concentrated volumes of people work and gather each day, there is a heightened risk of one of those suffering from CVD.

For every minute that passes between onset of cardiac arrest and treatment, chances of survival are reduced by 10 percent. If a defibrillator is not used within 10 minutes, the victim's chances of survival are practically nil.

Susan added “Since the Cathedral’s refurbishment in 2006/2007, tourist figures have been steadily increasing, the audience numbers for music and art events has grown, all in addition to our weekly congregations. So it is crucial that we have trained staff and the proper equipment to deal with a situation that requires AED.”

For further information about Christchurch visit http://www.christchurchwaterford.com/. Or log onto www.abilitymatters.ie or http://www.nas.ie/.