Meet Caroline from Kilkenny - Primary school teacher by day and lifesaver by night

Kilkenny has recently gained an enormously important volunteer service called Kilkenny Critical Community First Responders which launched last month.

The group is made up of 16 members who respond to life-threatening incidents and provide vital care in co-operation with the National Ambulance Service.

Group co-ordinator Paul O'Carroll said: “In the month of February alone, we responded to 12 calls. Everything from a cardiac arrest to chest pain, strokes and choking.”

One of the 16 members has offered to share her story of why she joined the community service; meet Caroline Boyle from Kilkenny.

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Caroline loves travelling, local history, animal welfare and rescue and she is a member of a Manchester United supporters club.

Caroline is a primary school teacher at CBS Kilkenny who volunteers for Kilkenny CFR whenever she can.

"My own family has been directly affected by sudden cardiac arrest and experienced the lasting trauma this involves.

"I wanted to upskill myself medically in order to help others experiencing similar sudden medical emergency scenarios in my neighbourhood and community and to help sustain life whenever possible," Caroline said.

The CFR group are highly trained emergency responders who work closely with the National Ambulance Service.

Caroline said that the group is so important because in medical emergencies, response time is key. 

"Quick rapid response can mean literally the difference between life and death for families and lead to positive life-saving outcomes."

Caroline encourages anyone who can to get involved with the group.

"Besides the wonderful camaraderie and social aspect within the group itself, being part of Critical Kilkenny provides excellent CFR training and equips members with the skills necessary to potentially save people’s lives, loved ones, neighbours and people in our locality and in fact within a 10-mile radius of Kilkenny. 

"For me personally, I love helping others and seeing the relief on the faces of loved ones when you arrive to offer assistance and being able to alleviate very stressful and frightening medical emergencies and events for them."