More than 500 volunteers from units of the Order of Malta Ireland Ambulance Corps will descend on Athlone on September 18 and 19 to showcase their lifesaving skills as part of the All-Ireland First Aid Competitions.
Casualty simulations will be set up in various locations in the town to reflect real-life emergency scenarios. The volunteers will compete across individual and team categories and rely on their expert knowledge and training on how to best approach the situation, to ensure the best possible outcome for the patient.
The various tests will be across areas such as cardiac first responder, emergency first responder, emergency medical technician and light rescue, community care and nursing. The Order of Malta Ireland Ambulance Corps, established in 1938, has more than 4,000 members in the both Northern Ireland and the Republic. Cadet units are attached to more than 50 units, where young people aged between 10 and 16 are trained in basic lifesaving skills.
Each year the Order of Malta Ireland also trains over 3,500 members of the public from all walks of life, to ensure that everyone has the potential to save a life. Rosemary Keogh, CEO of the Order of Malta Ireland, said: “Every week, in communities across Ireland, our volunteer members are saving, touching, and changing lives.
“All income from first aid training and fundraising is reinvested to support the development of Order of Malta Ireland and the ability of our volunteers to make a difference in local communities and across our other national charitable projects.”
The Athlone unit has the honour of hosting the All Ireland First Aid Competitions this year. The officer in charge of the unit, Mark Glennon, said: “This year Athlone is bringing the competitions into the heart of the community. We will also be setting up CPR demonstrations in Athlone Shopping Centre to increase awareness of the importance of learning CPR skills that can double the chances of someone surviving a cardiac arrest.”
To donate €4 to the Order of Malta, text ‘MALTA’ to 50300.
