Athlone Garda educating students during World Restart a Heart Day

A Garda in Athlone has been educating students in local schools about the importance CPR and how to use a defibrillator.

Garda Stacey Looby, who moved to Athlone Garda station over the summer after eleven years in Navan Garda Station, visited Transition Year students in the Marist, Bower and Coláiste Chiaráin as part of World Restart a Heart Day, which took place on October 16.

Approximately 202 students took part between the three schools, with plans for students in Athlone Community College to also take part in the coming weeks.

Stacey hosted several educational classes as part of the initiative for students in Navan while she was stationed there, and says that it's important for students to know the signs of cardiac arrests and heart attacks.

"It's such an important skill to have, and you never know when you might need it," she told the Westmeath Independent.

"This year in particular I find that students are engaging with the classes. When I mention footballer Christian Eriksen who had a cardiac arrest on the football pitch over the summer, everybody knows who he is and they know how lucky he was.

"Everyone was watching that match and it really shocked the world."

World Restart a Heart Day is a global annual event where members of the public are encouraged to learn CPR and how to use an AED.

Most cardiac arrests occur outside of hospital settings, so the crucial message of the campaign is that anyone can do basic CPR and use an AED, and if carried out in the first minutes of a cardiac arrest, it can double someone's chances of survival.

"We're not only teaching students the skills needed for CPR and defibrillator use, but also about remaining calm and about the importance of knowing the Eircode for the defibrillator they're using so that the emergency services can reach them sooner," Stacey said.

Stacey was previously named as 'Ireland's Inspirational Hero' in 2020 for her hard work, dedication and positivity during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Garda Looby's efforts focused on the elderly, from arranging shopping and collecting medicines, to surprising those cocooning alone with birthdays to remember.

Anybody seeking more information about the campaign can visit www.heartandstroke.com or search for 'World Restart a Heart Day'.