He ‘died’ six times – now Barry wants to help save lives

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A Limerick man brought back to life six times by receiving electric shocks to his heart from an automated external defibrillator (AED) started a fundraising drive to purchase more of the life-saving devices.

Barry Long (46) suffered a cardiac arrest on a swimming outing with his three sons, Adam (12), Evan (10), and Hugo (6), at the University of Limerick national 50m swimming pool, on March 10 last.

His heart stopped once in the water, three times at poolside, and a further two times as he was taken to University Hospital Limerick. Each time he was given an electric shock which restarted his heart.

Among his many rescuers were Gardai from Mayorstone Park who borrowed a defibrillator from the Civil Defence.

"However, the Gardai have only one automated external defibrillator (AED) in one patrol car and, ideally, could have one in each of the three patrol cars that regularly patrol their area,"

Barry Long

Barry contacted Anne Riordan, regional manager of the Irish Heart Foundation to kick off a fundraising drive to raise money to buy defibrillators and agreed that any additional money raised would go to our CPR for schools campaign.

Barry raised nearly €10,000 and presented Garda Aidan Riordan and Garda Paul Baynham with three Heart Defibrillators, for three Garda Cars in the Limerick region.

Long said he hopes his incredible story will inspire others to learn how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and continues to support the Irish Heart Foundation by volunteering.

 

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