Croke Park first Heartsafe Stadium

31 August 2010

Croke Park has become the first Heartsafe Stadium in Ireland in recognition of the level of care provided by the GAA and the facilities at the stadium.

The Heartsafe Community Programme is an Irish Heart Foundation initiative, launched by President Mary McAleese in March 2005, which aims to encourage all communities to strengthen every link in the 'Chain of Survival' in their community.

GAA President Christy Cooney congratulated all involved in helping Croke Park to gain a standard that underlines the top class facilities available at the stadium.

He said: "We take our responsibilities in this area very seriously and I am delighted to acknowledge the fact that Páirc an Chrócaigh is the first stadium in the country to be awarded this accolade.

"We promote best practice in this area, not just here at Croke Park but across all levels of the Association and we ask all our units to be mindful of the role they can play in raising awareness of the threat to heart disease amongst our members and the wider public."

The certification of Croke Park as Ireland's first Heartsafe Stadium forms part of the Association's efforts to increase resources and awareness in the area of cardiac survival.

Michael O'Shea, Chief Executive, Irish Heart Foundation added: "The GAA has shown great initiative already by providing AEDs at every county training ground and by encouraging every club to purchase the instruments. But today marks the first time a national stadium has won the Heartsafe Award. We hope all sports clubs around the country, national and local, will follow the Croke Park example to become Heartsafe."

Since 2007 the GAA have sold approximately 800 defibrillators to clubs throughout Ireland that has seen thousands of people of all ages trained in the effective use of defibrillators.

In addition in January this year all inter-county referees were also trained in the use of defibrillators. The GAA's Medical, Scientific and Welfare Committee are committed to further efforts in this area and welcome this award to Croke Park.

The 'Chain of Survival' concept as devised by the Irish Heart Foundation comprises four vital links that can save a life: Early Access, Early Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Early Defibrillation and Early Advanced Care.

Cardiovascular disease is Ireland's biggest killer disease with over 10,000 deaths each year. Some 5,000 of these fatalities are from sudden cardiac arrest and, as 70% of these occur out of hospital, it is imperative that communities, schools and businesses are equipped and prepared to respond. The current survival rate from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Ireland is as low as 1%.

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