Driving the heart of the community

REPRESENTATIVES from the Irish Heart Foundation visited Ennis Golf Club this week to present a plaque for display in the clubhouse that recognises the club as offically ‘Heartsafe’. It is the first golf club in Clare to have achieved this award.
The Heartsafe Community Programme aims to provide Ennis Golf Club members and staff with the information, support and motivation to strengthen the ‘Chain of Survival’ in the club in the event of a cardiac emergency.
According to club secretary John Cullinane, “The club is committed to improving survivability of members, staff and visitors from cardiac events by laying down policies and procedures to this effect. The polices include promotion of heart healthy lifestyle habits, raising awareness of basic lifesaving techniques through training and keeping as many club and staff members as possible up to date in the approved methods of CPR and AED use.
“We have made a very good start this year and thank the 97 members who have availed of the training so far.
“The club has informed all members and staff of our Cardiac First Responder Programme, highlighting that the AED is wall mounted and visible just inside the main entrance to the clubhouse. In the event of a medical emergency, we have set out procedures to be implemented and members and staff have been informed of this and the details placed on notice boards. The ambulance service is aware that we have an AED and have been provided with a map of the golf course to allow the crew dispatched proceed directly to the most suitable location”.
Mr Cullinane said the now objective is that the club has its own instructors affiliated to Clare Heart Health and the necessary equipment. Training will be organised over the coming years for members during the non golfing season and members who have availed of training will be invited back to a refresher course every two years to have their skills revalidated.
“The club will also develop a plan to organise activities, schemes or information programmes that contribute to heart awareness and health promotion which is relevant to our members,” he outlined.