Findochty boat club receive new community defibrillator from Keiran's Legacy
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A NEW public access defibrillator has been installed beside the harbour at Findochty.
Providing a new home for the life-saving device are Findochty Water Sports Club (FWSC), with the defib being housed on the wall of the Howff building next to the harbour.
Delivering the defib was Sandra McKandie from the charity Keiran’s Legacy, which seeks to raise money to provide defib units to local communities. The charity was formed in memory of her son, Keiran, a keen mountain biker, who was killed on March 20, 2016 at the age of just 16.
Training on CPR techniques was delivered in the town hall to volunteers from the club plus staff members from The Admiral’s Inn which is nearby to the Howff.
FWSC Commodore Mairi Innes said that, with the good of the local community to the fore in their minds, the club approached Keiran’s Legacy and following talks with Mrs McKandie a defib unit at the Howff.
She continued: “The close proximity to a very busy harbour, pub and caravan park makes the location of the new defibrillator ideal for accessing in in the event of a cardiac emergency.
“FWSC are proud to have custodianship of such a valuable piece of life saving equipment and we are empowered by being fully trained in the use of the equipment.”
The machine is installed on the outside wall of the building and is available for use when needed in an emergency by the villagers, harbour users and visitors.
Mrs McKandie said: “Keiran's Legacy are delighted to be able to provide the local community of Findochty with a defibrillator and to be able to share our training and skills with the local people.”
Public access defibrillators can be found at a variety of locations, including workplaces, both indoors and outdoors. Training is not required to use one; each unit comes with clear instructions on how to attach the defibrillator pads. It then assesses the heart rhythm and will only instruct that a shock if needed.
Formed in 1983, Findochty Water Sports Club is based in the Howff building at Findochty Harbour. The club caters for sailing boats, fishing boats, pleasure craft, as well as owning two St Ayle's skiffs, SUP boards, canoes and kayaks.
Keep up to date with club news by following their Facebook page.
