Call for more accessible defibrillators in Kintore
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Community responders have called for an increase in potentially life saving equipment to be made available round the clock in Kintore.
Four years ago Kintore and District Community Council installed this Scottish Ambulance Service public-access automatic defibrillator (AED) in The Square.
Since then there have been more defibrillators installed in premises in Kintore, but most are only available when the premises are open.
Speaking to members of the community council at their latest meeting, local community responder for the Sandpiper Trust, Alan Milne called on the wider community to help provide more publicly-accessible defibrillators.
When cardiac arrest occurs, it is essential to start CPR within two minutes.
Getting the patient on an AED within four to five minutes is said to increase the chance of survival from just 6 per cent to 74 per cent.
Mr Milne explained the changing circumstances of the operation of the Sandpiper Trust project which will be ending in March or April this year and will, in turn be amalgamated into the Scottish Ambulance Service response.
He explained to the group that there are about half a dozen volunteer responders in the immediate area and anyone calling with a report of cardiac arrest, heart attack or chest pains will be notified to these responders.
But, inevitably, it takes time for emergency response to get to a patient.
He said: "In the absence of a professional it could be down to you to save a life.
"That’s why having AEDs at strategic locations around Kintore is so important – so that you could potentially run and collect one to provide the necessary help."
The technology in modern AED’s talks the user through the whole process, assesses the patient and only administers a shock if one is actually needed.
He pointed out to the community council that Kintore is woefully under supplied with just one AED, when compared to other places, an example being the village of Johnshaven which has three.
At the suggestion of community council treasurer, the community council agreed that “as a statement of intent” that the community council commit to buying two defibrillators.
A sub-group from the community council is due to meet to see how additional AEDs can be financed and to look at suitable locations.
This may require some fund-raising, but as Mr Milne pointed out, Kintore really reached deep into its pockets to buy the new Christmas lights.
At around £1300 it was hoped that the community would support the move to provide life-saving equipment around the town.
