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Ellie O’Grady and Paddy O’Hara catching up after the traumatic life saving event Communications Dept via HSE

'Only for you, I'd be visiting a graveside and not a bedside'

The woman who saved a man by starting CPR when he went into cardiac arrest has met with him and his wife.

A GALWAY WOMAN who saved a man after his heart stopped – met up with him and his wife to speak about the day.

Ellie O’Grady from Barna was driving home with her husband and two children when a car ahead of her crashed into a wall.

The driver, Paddy O’Hara, had gone into cardiac arrest. As a former nurse – Ellie recognised that his heart had stopped and managed to drag him out of the car and start CPR.

Galway Fire Service were driving by and used their defibrillator to give Paddy two shocks.

When the ambulance arrived, Advanced Paramedic Emmet Forkan, inserted a tube into Paddy’s windpipe and delivered drugs and a further five electric shocks to restart his heart.

Paddy, his wife Patricia, and Ellie spoke about the enormity of the event during the emotional meeting.

Paddy said if Ellie hadn’t started CPR he wouldn’t have survived long enough for Emmet and the ambulance crews to bring him back to life.

Patricia summed it up by saying: “Only for you all, I would have been visiting a graveside not a bedside”.

unnamed (1) Ellie O’Grady Paddy O’Hara meet Emmet Forkan National Ambulance Service Communications Dept Communications Dept

Could you save a life?

Every year more than 5,000 people in Ireland die from heart attacks. However, deaths can often be prevented if CPR is started immediately.

The victims chance of survival drops 10% for every minute that passes without CPR or a shock from a defibrillator.

Community First Responder groups sign up to a programme with the National Ambulance Service and receive formal training.

NAS Operations Resource Manager in Galway, Darryl Coen, says,

Community First Responder groups can assist their local communities and provide that first response whilst awaiting the arrival of the emergency services.

“The NAS would be happy to discuss the programme with community groups that are interested in signing up and we would also ask businesses to contact us if they have a defibrillator (AED) on site.”

More details of the Community First Responder programme are available on the HSE website.

Read: The public could become life savers under a new plan to fight cardiac arrests>

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    Mute Oran Joyce
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    Jan 31st 2016, 11:38 AM

    The real problem for black movies is not a ‘racist’ industry.
    It’s the subject matter.
    Black people need to step outside the hood for a minute and realise they’re living on a large planet in the solar system with a multitude of cultural diversity.
    Try engaging with the rest of humanity in an artistic sense and people will respond.
    Murder, mayhem and crack cocaine become tediously one dimensional after a while.

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    Mute Seán Kingston
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    Jan 31st 2016, 11:58 AM

    Idris Elba just won the SAG for portraying an African warlord.

    Creed is about a well off black man who follows his father into boxing. Written and directed by a talented black filmmaker.

    Will Smith plays a Nigerian doctor who was responsible for an important medical discovery in Concussion.

    So there’s that.

    But being a dick is a good option too.

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    Mute James Darcy
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    Jan 31st 2016, 12:39 PM

    Have to agree. Will Smith for concussion is exactly the point – he deserved at least a nomination.

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    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
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    Jan 31st 2016, 3:55 PM

    James, which performance would his have replaced?

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    Mute Kieran Dowling
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    Jan 31st 2016, 5:02 PM

    You’re racist.

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    Mute C O'Neill
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    Jan 31st 2016, 5:07 PM

    I should pop yo ass fo what you jus did bruh!

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    Mute Mucky Pup
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    Jan 31st 2016, 11:27 AM

    Great film. The boy in particular is outstanding.

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    Mute Andrea Rock Massey
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    Jan 31st 2016, 12:33 PM

    Idris Elba wasn’t overlooked for an Oscar nomination, films on Netflix don’t meet the criteria for the Oscars and never receive nominations.

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    Mute phil
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    Jan 31st 2016, 12:34 PM

    It did this year though they showed it in an LA cinema for the few weeks. I don’t think the Academy will ever give a Netflix movie a nod. It was an outstanding movie

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    Mute Andrea Rock Massey
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    Jan 31st 2016, 12:39 PM

    It won’t be the last great film that won’t get a nod but that’s the Oscars for you. He’s brilliant in everything so I’ve no doubt his time will come.

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    Mute Tom
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    Jan 31st 2016, 10:01 PM

    Everything except for those Sky ads..

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    Mute Micheal S. O' Ceilleachair
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    Jan 31st 2016, 12:00 PM

    The Chinese will also be up in arms. No nominations for the Oscars for years!

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    Mute Wynnner
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    Feb 1st 2016, 8:59 AM

    Or the North Koreans

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    Mute Vladimir Vasyectomy
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    Jan 31st 2016, 11:30 AM

    Brie’s dress looks like she was in a scrap before she went on stage.

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    Mute Vladimir Vasyectomy
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    Jan 31st 2016, 11:31 AM

    Sexy though.

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    Mute Oran Joyce
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    Jan 31st 2016, 11:39 AM

    It’s all about ‘The Dress’.

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    Mute Roisin Connolly
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    Jan 31st 2016, 1:36 PM

    The boy in this should be nominated! He was outstanding in it. Really enjoyed the film. Not often does a film live up to the book, but this did.

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    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
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    Jan 31st 2016, 4:01 PM

    I’d have happily swapped out Stallone for Jacob Tremblay. He’s the least deserving in the category and will probably win it.

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    Mute Anton Friendo
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    Feb 1st 2016, 7:47 PM

    Hes too white and Kayne will be upset

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