GAA Defibrillator Guidelines
The Medical, Scientific and Welfare Committee has produced guidelines which gives GAA Clubs advice and recommendations in key areas such as acquisition, accessibility & storage, training and maintenance of AEDs. To view the guidelines, click here.
ACT to Ensure Heart Safety at your Club
Accessible – make sure that your defibrillator is stored in an area where ACCESS is not restricted, remember time is critical. Specialised units are available for outdoor storage.
Charged – Ensure that your defibrillator is fully CHARGED and that self-tests have passed by carrying out weekly inspections. Ensure that your battery and pads (pad-paks) have not reached their expiry date.
Trained – Ensure there are enough TRAINED rescuers to respond anytime the Clubhouse or pitches are occupied.
Information on Certified Training Courses is available via:
> The Irish Heart Foundation (www.irishheart.ie)
> The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC)
ALWAYS ENSURE YOUR DEFIBRILLATOR IS IN FULL WORKING ORDER
Storage and Maintenance
• We remind Clubs of the importance of correct storage and maintenance of the Club defibrillator
• Performance of the defibrillator may be compromised if the manufacturer’s recommendations are ignored
• For Clubs who purchased their defibrillator as part of the National Defibrillator Scheme several years go, if you have been storing your defibrillator in an unsuitable external cabinet, you can get your machine checked by contacting 1850 432 787 or by e-mailing [email protected]
• Approved, heated, outdoor cabinets are available from Heartsafety Solutions on 1850 432 787 or by e-mailing [email protected]
• Maintaining your defibrillator is very easy, a weekly inspection is essential to ensure this life-saving equipment is always ready if required. The new LifePAK CR2 AED which is availble to purchase or via the Community Heart Programme performs a daily 'Self-Check' and then notifies designated Club members if there is an issue that requires attention.
• Please read your user manual and visit www.hearts.ie for further information and demonstration videos.
Click HERE for a Maintendance Checklist that can be used for AED(s) in your Club
Irish Medicines Board Advice on Automated External Defibrillators
The IMB has published this leaflet to provide advice on selecting and purchasing an AED for use in a community setting. It also provides recommendations for maintaining the device after it has been purchased. Please click here to view the leaflet.
For further information on the scheme available to Clubs, please contact the Player Welfare Manager - Eoghan Tuohey ([email protected])