New public access defibrillator located in town centre

A SECOND public access defibrillator has been located in Castlebar town centre.

The new automated external defibrillator (AED), situated at Market Square near the Galway Roast Cafe, is specially designed for public-access use to provide life-saving defibrillation within the critical first minutes until professional care arrive.

A similar unit is in place at Main Street. 

Well done to the local group, First Respondents, who campaigned for the initiative. The facility was funded by Mayo County Council and the local community in partnership with the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps.

The number one killer in Ireland is Sudden Cardiac Death Syndrome, killing more than 16,000 people every year.

It can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time and in most cases without warning.

For schools, offices, stores, factories, gyms, public places and community groups, a defibrillaor has become as important as the fire extinguisher.