OxygenCare and Community First Responders (CFR) Ireland launched the ‘Be the Beat’ campaign to honor volunteer first responders and improve sudden cardiac arrest survival rates across the island. The initiative invites the public to submit personal stories and nominate volunteers who provide critical emergency care before an ambulance arrives.
The Impact of Community First Responders in Ireland
Community First Responders are trained members of the public who respond to local medical emergencies, providing life-saving CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) use. According to data from the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) cited in the campaign, nearly 5,000 people die from sudden cardiac arrest in Ireland every year. Survival chances decrease by 7% to 10% for every minute CPR is delayed following a collapse. To combat these outcomes, approximately 4,000 active volunteers operate across roughly 385 CFR schemes nationwide.
“The impact of Community First Responders is not just important but life changing – especially considering that cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death in Ireland,” said Conrad Wynne, Senior Product Specialist at OxygenCare, during the campaign launch alongside John Fitzgerald, a founding member of CFR Ireland.
Campaign Details and Defibrillator Prizes
The ‘Be the Beat’ initiative aims to raise awareness about the necessity of early intervention while encouraging wider public participation in CPR and defibrillation training. Anyone affected by a cardiac arrest or another medical incident involving a CFR volunteer, as well as those wishing to nominate a local responder, can submit their experiences to the campaign.
Participating communities are entered for a chance to win a Defibtech Lifeline AED. Organizers will select one winner from each of the six HSE Health Regions in the Republic of Ireland, alongside one winner from the Northern Ireland region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ‘Be the Beat’ campaign?
Organized by OxygenCare and CFR Ireland, ‘Be the Beat’ is a public awareness campaign designed to celebrate Community First Responders, share survival stories, and encourage local CPR and AED training.
Who is eligible to submit a story or nomination?
Any member of the public can submit a story, whether they were personally affected by an incident involving a CFR or wish to nominate a local volunteer for their dedication.
What are the prizes for participating communities?
Submissions will be entered to win a Defibtech defibrillator. Selection includes one winner from each of the six HSE Health Regions in the Republic of Ireland and one winner from Northern Ireland.
Summary
The ‘Be the Beat’ campaign bridges public awareness with grassroots emergency response. By highlighting the efforts of Ireland’s 4,000 CFR volunteers and supplying essential defibrillator equipment to winning regions, the initiative seeks to strengthen community resilience against sudden cardiac arrest.