A FAMILY tragedy inspired Munster rugby hero Diarmuid Barron to learn life-saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills from a Limerick teacher who knows first-hand how important that skill is.
Rugby star Diarmuid undertook to learn CPR after his young cousin died of cardiac disease and has now become an Irish Heart Foundation ambassador.
He has been trained in CPR by secondary school students at Hazelwood College, Dromcollogher, and their teacher, Michelle Herbert, who suffered a heart attack while playing camogie.
Michelle only survived after she received life-saving CPR on the pitch from an opponent.
The Munster hooker, who plays for Garryowen, was at the school to present students with a Special Recognition Award as part of the Irish Heart Foundation’s CPR 4 Schools programme.
The programme aims to train the next generation of lifesavers so they can respond swiftly and effectively in a cardiac emergency.
Diarmuid, who recently helped Munster win the United Rugby Championship in South Africa, said he knows from personal experience the devastating impact cardiovascular disease can have on lives.
“A number of my family members have experienced cardiovascular disease, and my cousin passed away from a heart condition when she was young,” he said.
“The transition year students taught me the correct way to approach a possible cardiac arrest situation, which is to ensure the area is safe, call 112 or 999 stating your location’s Eircode, press hard and fast in the centre of the chest and get someone to find the nearest AED,” he said.
CPR trainer and Hazelwood College teacher Michelle Herbert, who survived a cardiac arrest in 2016, said: “The Irish Heart Foundation’s CPR 4 Schools programme is such a fantastic opportunity to get the entire school community involved.”
“By learning this skill, you can make a real difference in someone’s life, you can give that person a better chance of life. It really is a life-saving skill that all schools should teach.”
Teachers interested in bringing the CPR 4 Schools programme to their school can contact [email protected].
For more information about CPR 4 Schools, visit IrishHeart.ie/cpr4schools
