The importance of CPR in saving lives is one of the key issues highlighted at a major emergency medicine conference taking place in Clare today.
Health Minister Mary Harney is officially opening the two day event in Bunratty Castle and after addressing the 300 delegates, Minister Harney will observe a full road traffic accident simulation involving local ambulance, fire Gardaí and hospital services.
The conference will also host sessions on cardiac arrest management, helicopter search and rescue and combat medical care in Afghanistan.
Recent figures show that 90 percent of people who suffer a heart attack won’t survive until hospital discharge if CPR isn’t administered as quickly as possible at the scene.
Dr Cathal O Donnell, Chair of the conference and Consultant in emergency medicine at Ennis and Limerick Regional hospitals, says it’s a vital skill everybody should have.
