Bocan CFR Group

06/06/2026

Thanks so Pure Savage for providing us with our great quality half zips👌

02/06/2026

A huge well done to the Buncrana Community First Responders👏🏻

On a quiet Sunday evening in Buncrana, a family’s world changed in an instant. At 5:07pm on Sunday, 3rd May, 2026, a gentleman named Iain suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while visiting Buncrana.

For most people, a cardiac arrest outside of hospital can be fatal within minutes, but on this day, everything that needed to happen, happened.

Ordinary people became lifesavers. Iain’s wife, Jayne, immediately called for help. Nearby
campervan owners stepped forward, raising the alarm with the National Ambulance Service and started CPR. A local man then assisted, continuing the life-saving efforts. They didn't hesitate. They didn't wait. They acted.

At the same time, Buncrana Community First Responders were alerted by the National
Ambulance Service. Within just two minutes of receiving the call, responders were on scene. An
AED was immediately placed on Iain. CPR continued. Two shocks were delivered.

Then came the moment everyone hopes for, Iain began to show signs of life.
Responders provided rescue ventilations to support his breathing and remained by his side,
monitoring and caring for him until the National Ambulance Service arrived.
From there, Iain received specialist post-resuscitation care in hospital.

Just 19 days later, he walked back through his own front door.
Home to his wife. Home to his family. Home to his life.

Today, Iain is recovering well and adjusting to life with his newly fitted internal defibrillator, but he knows that without the actions of those around him that evening, he may not be here to tell his story.

In his own words;
"Quite simply.. YOU ALL SAVED MY LIFE."

Iain has requested that his story be shared on our social media channels and has given his consent for this publication, not only to thank those who helped him, but to highlight the importance of learning CPR and Community First Responders. The photo below was taken just three weeks before Iain's cardiac arrest, showing Iain and Jayne after completing the hike to the top of the Old Man of Storr on the Isle of Skye.

His survival is proof that the Chain of Survival works:
❤️ Early Access
❤️ Early CPR
❤️ Early Defibrillation
❤️ Early Advanced Life Support
❤️ Early Post-Resuscitation Care

✨Every link matters ✨

To the neighbouring campervanners,
To the local man,
To the Buncrana Community First Responders,
To the National Ambulance Service crews,
To the hospital teams,
And to Jayne, who stood by Iain's side every step of his journey, kindly keeping our team
updated throughout his recovery.

THANK YOU ❤️

Because of your actions, a husband, family member and friend is still here today.

This is why CPR training matters.
This is why Community First Responders matter.
This is why every second counts❤️

CFR Ireland National Ambulance Service (NAS) NAS Community Engagement Irish Heart Foundation Donegal Democrat / Donegal Live Inishowen Credit Union Derry Journal Highland Radio: News, Sport & Obituaries

30/05/2026

We would like to say a massive thank you for the generous donation received from the Gibbons family👏🏻

They have kindly donated €2,400 to the Bocan CFR Group which they raised from Mary’s 80th birthday party 🙌🏻🥳

We are very grateful to have such a supportive community❤️🤍

26/05/2026

Bocan First Responders are having a training day in the Bocan Hall this Thursday at 8pm.

We would love for anyone who is thinking on joining or feels like they would like to come and observe to get more of an insight in the group and the training🙌🏻

We hope to see some new faces👏🏻

03/05/2026

Our first responders have responded to 7 calls over the month of April 👏🏻

Huge thank you to all the volunteers and the continued support from the community🙌🏻

21/04/2026

Our first responders in for another CPR training session🙌🏻

Keeping on top of our CPR training will ensure we are ready for any emergency and ensure we can deliver the best care possible👏🏻

20/04/2026

A volunteer community first responder (CFR) from Tipperary, who attended a call for a local person experiencing chest pains, never imagined that he too would be needing the support of his volunteer colleagues and the National Ambulance Service before the end of the day.

Gerry Fitzgerald, a member of CRITICAL’s Carrick-on-Suir CFR group, was walking near his home in Carrick-on-Suir when he began experiencing severe chest pain. He quickly recognised what was happening, returned home and dialled 999. 'I gave the information to the call taker and asked them to activate the CFR group straight away. A member of the team was at my house within two minutes.'

'The relief my wife and I felt when Michael arrived with all the gear was incredible, I knew I was in safe hands. It seemed like the stars aligned for me that day because an ambulance was available and arrived shortly after.'

'I even knew the crew because we had both responded to a chest pain call earlier that day. Everyone worked together brilliantly, and I was brought to hospital in Clonmel.'

'My own experience meant that I really knew the difference we can make as first responders. I received really good care, and it’s great to be able to do that for someone else in my local community'

02/04/2026

For the month of March our Bocan First Responders have responded to 4 calls🙌🏻

We would like to thank all the volunteers and the community for the ongoing support we are receiving👏🏻