Clare Civil Defence Member’s Heroic Life Saving Effort

3 September 2019

Whilst on a recent recreational day out in Boyle, Co. Roscommon, Mario Miotto a senior member of Clare Civil Defence and an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) trained by Clare Civil Defence, came across a 69 year old gentleman at the entrance to a shop who was in Cardiac Arrest.

Mario  immediately began CPR and requested an ambulance and an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) from a passer by.  The passer by happened to be a Doctor who had an AED in his car.  Mario continued with CPR whilst the Doctor went for the AED.  Both Mario and the Doctor worked on the patient for approximately 8 minutes and after getting one shock into the patient they achieved Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC).  On arrival of the ambulance the patient had become alert and was talking with both Mario and the Doctor.  The patient was transported to a waiting helicopter and then flown to University Hospital Galway where he is currently doing very well and recovering from the event.

Achieving Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC) on cardiac arrest patients is a rare occurrence.  It is clear that the quick thinking and actions instilled in Mario through his training as a Civil Defence EMT saved the gentleman’s life.  Mario, and of course the Doctor who assisted are commended for their actions.