From Crisis to Community: A Lifesaving Mission Begins
In Cork, a city known for its rich history and warm hospitality, a personal crisis has sparked a public mission. Helena, a trained paramedic who studied at University College Cork (UCC) and worked on the frontline during the pandemic, faced an unimaginable moment when her partner, Mark, suffered a heart attack at home. He was clinically dead for 15 minutes before she could apply essential life-saving measures. The harrowing incident did more than test their resolve; it reshaped Helena’s professional purpose. Today, she is turning that experience into a lasting community resource by launching training classes designed to teach CPR, AED use, and basic life support to people across Cork and beyond.
The Night Itself: How a Lifesaving Response Unfolded
Those minutes in a quiet home were a stark reminder of how quickly emergencies can escalate. Helena’s training and composure under pressure helped keep Mark alive long enough for urgent care to arrive. The event underscored a truth that healthcare workers know all too well: success in an emergency often relies on timely, informed action by bystanders. Helena did not hesitate; she applied the techniques she has honed through years of study and frontline service. The relief when help finally arrived was immense, and the couple’s relief solidified into a new sense of mission.
Turning Experience into Education: Why Training Matters
CPR and the quick deployment of an automated external defibrillator (AED) can dramatically increase survival rates in cardiac arrest, particularly in community settings. Helena’s decision to launch training classes is rooted in a belief that knowledge should not be restricted to medical professionals. Her approach focuses on practical, confidence-building instruction for ordinary people who may one day find themselves in a similar situation. The classes will cover recognizing a cardiac emergency, performing chest compressions, using an AED, and what to do while waiting for emergency services to arrive.
What Participants Can Expect from the Classes
Participants will engage in hands-on practice with dummies and AED trainers, guided by an instructor with real-world experience. The curriculum is designed to be accessible to all ages and fitness levels, emphasizing that anyone can make a difference in a life-threatening moment. In addition to the core CPR and AED components, the program will address first aid basics, safe approach to a person in distress, and how to maintain composure under pressure. Helena’s clinical background at UCC and her pandemic-era frontline work bring a level of credibility and practical insight that sets her program apart.
A Personal Drive for Public Benefit
For Helena, the private experience with Mark has become a public call to action. She wants to empower families, workplaces, and community groups by providing accessible training that can be delivered in schools, community halls, and workplace training rooms. The ultimate goal is to build a network of trained individuals who can respond effectively in the crucial minutes after a collapse—time that is often the difference between life and death.
How to Join the Training
Registration details are expected to be released soon, with a schedule that accommodates busy lives. The program is designed to be scalable, offering both introductory courses and more comprehensive certifications for those who wish to take a deeper dive into lifesaving skills. For families and organizations seeking practical, actionable training in a supportive environment, Helena’s classes promise not only skills but peace of mind in moments of crisis.
A Future of Safer Communities
The Cork paramedic’s initiative echoes a growing movement to democratize emergency response skills. By transforming a personal tragedy into a gateway for community resilience, Helena is helping to ensure that more bystanders become capable responders. The impact of her work will depend on the reach and consistency of the training she offers, but the early momentum is clear: lifesaving knowledge is being made accessible, one class at a time.
