Phone box that will save a life
New defibrillator installed
Residents have got their own community defibrillator just months after a 44- yearold resident suffered a heart attack in the neighbourhood.
Dad- of- two Mark Baillie had a cardiac arrest in June and thankfully paramedics managed to reach him in time.
Mark dialled 999 when he realised what was happening and the ambulance medics turned up with a defibrillator, which saved his life.
Just a few months later the machine has been installed in Mark’s hamlet thanks to the efforts of neighbour Gordon Thom.
The race horse breeder managed to get the defibrillator installed in a red phone box in Barbieston outside Drongan.
Dad- of- two Mark said: “If it saves one person it is worth getting. I was really lucky.
“I would not be here if the paramedics were not there with the defibrillator.”
When someone has a cardiac arrest defibrillation needs to be done rapidly and for every minute that passes chances of survival drop by ten per cent.
Gordon, 72, adapted the phone box specially and organised the equipment to be installed in the area.
He said: “I wanted to do this for the district.
“There isn’t one in Drongan. I think they are a good idea.”
It is now available for anyone in the village and surrounding area to use.
The phone box came from Troon Harbour and Gordon raised enough money to cover half the cost of the £ 1,500 defibrillator.
He said the device is easy to use and has audio prompts to issue instructions so anyone can access it in an emergency.
There are also plans for locals to undergo training sessions.
Gordon said he is thankful to people who helped pay for the equipment and gave assistance.
If it saves one person it is worth getting Mark Baillie