Tayside communities welcome installation of defibrillator
The rural Tayside communities of Kilry and Glenisla have welcomed the recent installation of a Public Access Defibrillator.
The device, which could help save someone’s life in the event of cardiac arrest, has been installed after fundraising by the Isla Parishes charity.
St John Scotland have supported the installation of the defibrillator as part of our drive to increase access to these life-saving devices across Scotland.
The defibrillator has been installed at the Kilry Church and is accessible 24/7 for use in an emergency.
Rev Stephen Blakey, Isla Parishes Minister said: “Rural communities such as ours are particularly at risk in a medical emergency. If anyone in our community had a cardiac arrest then every second counts. I would prefer that this defibrillator is never used, but we all feel a lot safer knowing it’s there.”
Hilary Mackenzie, Secretary of St John Scotland's team of volunteers in Perth & Kinross, said: “Around 70 people have a cardiac arrest each week in Scotland, yet sadly, only one in ten will survive. To give people a far greater chance of survival, it is essential that communities have quick and easy access to a defibrillator. St John Scotland, as a national charity, is focussed on helping local groups to improve our Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) network.”
On Saturday, members of the Kilry and Glenisla community enjoyed coffee and cakes to celebrate the installation of this community resource. St John Scotland volunteers also provided free CPR and defibrillator training to help locals learn how to save a life in the event of cardiac arrest.
More information about our support for defibrillators can be found on our website: www.stjohnscotland.org.uk/home/defibrillators