Golf club's procedures wins Irish Heart Foundation's approval

Medical training: Edmondstown Golf Club, at the foot of the Dublin mountains, has become the first golf club in Ireland to be accredited by the Irish Heart Foundation, for introducing training methods to help save the lives of those who suffer heart attacks on the course.

More than 100 golfers have been trained in vital CPR (cariopulmonary resuscitation). This is an emergency procedure used when someone's breathing and heartbeat stops suddenly. It is most effective when started immediately after the victim's collapse.

Although in many cases, CPR alone will not revive the patient, it helps keep the brain and heart supplied with blood and oxygen until medical help arrives.

"Heart attacks are a regular occurrence in golf clubs given the age profile of golfers which is somewhat older," says Donal Casey, the programme co-ordinator of the initiative.

The training is being carried out by members of Dublin Fire Brigade, where Mr Casey is a fire prevention officer. A further 30 golfers are undergoing training.

Around 800 golfers regularly use the course in Rathfarnham, so the percentage trained is relatively high.

In addition, five golf course employees, including the club professional, have been trained in CPR methods. Fifteen members have been trained in the use of a defibrillator which the club has also bought.

Defibrillators must be used by trained personnel and deliver an electric shock to the victim's chest to help restore the heart's normal function. They cost €2,000-€2,500, but those trained in their use must be retrained every 90 days, said Mr Casey.

He also bought 475 whistles for use by club members as part of the procedure involved when a player suffers a cardiac arrest. Each golfer is given a whistle with a notice attached to be kept in their golf bags. They are given a list of procedures to follow which includes ringing 999, the clubhouse and then they must blow the whistle to seek a CPR trained golfer.

The club also has a specially adapted golf buggy which can carry a special board to lift victims onto which in turn can be brought to the ambulance. Sometimes, ground conditions dictate that ambulances find it difficult to reach people who have suddenly taken ill on golf courses.

In a ceremony in Dublin at the weekend, the club was awarded the HeartSafe Community award. This recognises moves the club has made to help save the lives of those who suffer cardiac arrest.

Mr Casey said the reaction from Edmondstown members had been very enthusiastic and urged other clubs to adopt similar programmes. "All it needs is someone to drive the initiative," he said.