The Portershed have recently introduced life saving defibrillators in two of its city centre locations, Bowling Green and Market Street.
Funded through the Western Development Commission’s Connected Hubs Scheme, the defibrillator at PorterShed a hAon (Bowling Green ), is located at the main entrance and in PorterShed a Dó (Market St ) is located on the wall just inside the gate. The equipment on Bowling Green will be accessible to the public round the clock, and the Market St defibrillator will be available to the members and the public during traditional working hours.
Defibrillators, also known as automated external defibrillators (AEDs ) are essential in saving lives during cardiac arrests, as they provide a quick and effective shock to the heart, which can restart it and prevent long-term damage. AEDs can restore a normal heart rhythm in individuals suffering from cardiac arrest and increases the survival rate from upwards of 20% if preformed quickly, with up to 75% survival rate is utilised to its best degree. The AEDs at PorterShed are designed for non-medical personnel and come with visual instructions for usage.
Community manager, Anthony Shaughnessy, says the recent introduction is a symbol of PorterShed’s commitment to safety.
“The defibrillator is not just a device, it’s a symbol of the PorterShed’s commitment to the safety and well-being of its valued community. Having the defibrillators offers a sense of security and trust, that we are always looking out for the unknown. Community is everything here at the PorterShed and it is something we take very seriously. With the inclusion of the defibrillators, we hope that people can feel more relaxed in our city and coworking space.
According to the Irish Heart Foundation, approximately 60% of sudden cardiac arrests happen outside of hospitals, seeing the deaths of more than 4,000 people in Ireland each year. To help address this issue, the Government has launched initiatives to increase the number of AEDs in public areas, with more than 10,000 defibrillators in across the country in 2022 compared to 1,500 in 2010.
The PorterShed team is proud to have installed these defibrillators, and hope the Galway community will feel more confident and secure knowing that these life-saving devices are readily available in case of an emergency.
Remember to act fast and call 999/112 if you notice someone in need of defibrillation.
