A coach and a swimming club have received national awards after their heroic efforts saved the life of a Laois teenager following an incident in Barcelona.
Padraic Dolan and Laois Marlins were both recognised at the Water Saftey Ireland Awards recently.
Back in June, 14-year-old Logan Smyth from Abbeyleix was at a swim training camp with his team in Barcelona when he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest in the swimming pool.
According to dad Sean, who is the principal of Scoil Chriost Ri, Logan had a rare congenital defect that had not been diagnosed before this.
Logan’s 18 teammates in the water scrambled to assist him out of the water and his coach Padraic Dolan immediately recognised Logan had no pulse.
Padraic, from Portlaoise, is a Clinical Skills Facilitator ED and Critical Care in Portlaoise Hospital.
He administered CPR immediately, called for the AED and for emergency services.
The rest of the coaches and Team Managers on deck – Andy Gunn, Nicola Donagher, Aisling Lalor and Matt Kelly all played their part in clearing the pool and directing emergency services.
Unfortunately the AED at the pool was defective so Padraic continued CPR for about 12 minutes until the paramedics arrived.
Sean explained: “It is nothing short of a miracle that Logan is alive. His chances of survival beyond 8 minutes was virtually zero.
“Logan couldn’t have been in better hands than Padraic.
“Every medical professional we met said Logan is alive because of the quality of CPR Padraic administered.
“Not only did he survive but there is no neurological damage either. He is his normal self.
“He spent a week in ICU in Vall d’Hebron hospital in Barcelona before being flown home by Air Ambulance the CHI Crumlin.
“A week after, on July 8th, he had open heart surgery to fix the issue in his left coronary artery.
“The surgery was long and complex and the recovery was really difficult, particularly in the few days after coming around, but he faced it with determination and bravery.
“He managed to leave ICU 20 hours after surgery and was discharged five days after such a major surgery.
“He has since returned to school in St Mary’s CBS where he started back with everyone else in 2nd year. He faced something no 14-year-old should ever have to.”
Sean wanted to find some way of thanking those who saved Logan’s life and he found it.
He said: “I kept a diary throughout and I’m glad I did.
“I looked for some way of showing our appreciation to the people who helped us along the way and gave my son and our family a new chance at life.
“I came across the Water Saftey Ireland Awards and I nominated Padraic and the Laois Marlins team.
“To our delight they were presented with the award at a ceremony in O’Reilly Hall in UCD on October 21.
“Padraic was presented with the Des Kenny Award and the team were given a Rescue Appreciation Award.”
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