‘It really is the difference between life and death’

A TALLAGHT woman who was brought back to life after suffering a cardiac arrest last December donated a defibrillator that was launched in Springfield over the weekend, with the first responders who helped her.

Louise McInerney, 55, who is originally from Castle Park but has lived in London for the last 35 years, was visiting her aunty in Springfield on December 27 when she suddenly became ill.

Explaining what happened, dental practice manager Louise told The Echo: “I come home two or three times a year and I came home for Christmas to be with my family.

“It happened in my aunty’s house in Springfield on December 27.

“Everything was fine, we’d had a nice Christmas.

“We went up to my aunty, and we were literally sitting at the dinner table when I turned to my husband, Paul, and said, ‘I feel awful dizzy’.

“You know when you’re drunk and the room is spinning? It felt like that.

“And then I just died on the spot – I was gone.

“Apparently I went completely, my lips turned blue and everything, on the spot.”

At this point Lisa’s husband Paul began CPR while her brother, David Waldron, called for an ambulance, and the call-taker then notified Tallaght Community First Responders (CFR).

Community First Responders Tallaght

Tallaght CFR is staffed by trained paramedics who volunteer their time to attend the scene of cardiac arrests near them after being notified by the National Ambulance Service, as they all live locally and can typically attend the scene quicker than ambulances on call.

Craig Wade from Tallaght CFR was there within four minutes of the call and was first on the scene, and used a defibrillator on Louise, before paramedics from Dublin Fire Brigade arrived to assist.

The quick-thinking actions of Louise’s husband Paul, her brother David, and Craig combined with the DFB paramedics were crucial in preserving the chain of survival for Louise, who is recovering well.

Craig said: “The chain of survival came together perfectly on the day for Louise. “Her husband Paul recognised she was in cardiac arrest and immediately commenced chest compressions with telephone guidance from a Dublin Fire Brigade control room operator.

“This kept Louise’s brain oxygenated until the arrival of further assistance from myself in Tallaght CFR and then Dublin Fire Brigade.

“Without Paul’s immediate actions, the outcome for Louise could’ve been very different.

“Paul informed me that he had learned CPR when he was just 14, and still retains the skills that saved his wife’s life.”

Louise is currently under the care of Tallaght University Hospital and recently had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator installed which will swing into action if her heart stops again.

After her experience, Louise and her family sought a donation of a defibrillator which was provided via the ‘Forward Hearts’ programme initiated by HeartSafety Solutions.

At the presentation of of the defibrillator were Gareth Walsh, Adam Matthews, David Greville, Paul and
Louise, David Waldron, Craig Wade and Graham Ball of Tallaght CFR and HeartSafetySolutions

David Greville, CEO of HeartSafety Solutions, donated it to Louise who subsequently donated it to the volunteers in Tallaght Community First Responders.

The new defibrillator was unveiled at the shops on the Old Blessington Road on Sunday and was launched by Louise, her family, and the first responders who treated her, including paramedics from ‘D’ Watch in Tallaght Fire Station.

“It was very overwhelming,” said Louise, who is a past pupil of Tallaght Community School.

“[The defibrillator] is my way of saying thank you, and it’s good to know that we’ll help to save somebody else’s life.”

Craig from Tallaght CFR said the new defibrillator is now available 24/7/365, and he said Louise’s experience also highlights the importance of bystander CPR.

“You don’t have to be a paramedic or doctor to perform chest compressions on someone in CPR,” he said.

“Our message is clear: if you witness someone collapse and stop breathing, immediately call 999 or 112, request an AED, and perform chest compressions until someone takes over.

“It really is the difference between life and death.”