An Cosantóir

22 | QUICK RESPONSE VITAL FOR RESERVE MEDICS BY PTE MARK CALLAHAN PHOTOS BY CPL LISA KELLY (BOTH 54 RES MED COY) Pictured (l/r): Pte Mark Callahan (course instructor), Cpl Lyndsy Folan, Sgt Joe McGovern, Cpl Lisa Kelly (asst instructor), Coy Sgt 'Cha' Kennedy, CQMS Declan Raftery, Cpl Derek Keogh, Pte Kieran Conneely, and Pte Conor Raftery. (Missing from photo: Pte Ken Spencer, Pte Steven Ward and Sgt John Murphy) O credited course, is based on scientific evidence of best practice from all over the world, and focuses on the importance of minimal interruptions in CPR and quick responses once a collapse occurs. "As a military medical unit we also focused on team medics, as they were renewing their skills through the Car- diac First Response (CFR) course, which would introduce them to the latest developments in CPR and updates in the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). It also re-introduced the medics to the recognition and treat- ments of cardiac and respiratory disorders, from heart attacks to choking and unconsciousness. This Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) ac- n a dreary March Sunday morning in Galway, 54 Reserve Medical Company assembled for a unit field day. This was to be an important day for the With approximately 5,000 cases of sudden cardiac death reported in Ireland every year, and a number of recent high-profile cases reported in the media, it is hard to disagree with his contention that a quick reaction by first responders is absolutely vital in these cases. The CFR course is continually revisited by the unit's medics during training throughout the year. Lecture- and scenario-based training are both used to maintain the standards of best practice within the unit. The CFR course is the first, and possibly the most important, course of training that unit members receive on the road to becom- ing fully qualified medics. Skills learned during this course can be utilised both inside and outside the military for treatment of life-threatening conditions. "The increased focus on cardiac conditions in both old work in a CPR and defibrillation scenario, with safety be- ing paramount," says Pte Mark Callahan (course instruc- tor). "I believe an excellent standard of competence in CPR and the use of a defibrillator to be the most basic require- ment of any medic, regardless of rank or training grade." An Cosantóir June 2012 www.dfmagazine.ie and young in recent years has driven more and more people to seek training in basic life saving techniques," says assistant instructor Cpl Lisa Kelly (54 Res Med Coy). "We hope to equip the medics of 54 Reserve Med Coy to deal with any life-threatening or other emergency medical situations they may encounter".

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