NewAED installed atBlair Campus

A new publicly available automated external defibrillator (AED) has been installed by Perth and Kinross Council at Blairgowrie Community Campus.

The defibrillator will be available on a 24-hour basis and be used to help with responding to someone experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest.

A spokesperson for the local authority explained the reason for the move.

She said: “When someone has a sudden cardiac arrest, treatment needs to begin within three to five minutes of the attack for the best chance of full recovery.

“AEDs are easy to use, compact and portable.

“They are designed to be used by an untrained person as the machine will guide the operator through the process with verbal instructions and visual prompts.

“The machine will not allow a shock to be delivered if the patient’s heart rhythm does not require it.”

The machines are designed to be stored for long periods without use and require relatively little routine maintenance.

There is also a defibrillator available for use at Blairgowrie High School. Clare Cunningham and Angus Rutherford have been presented with the Blairgowrie and District Probus clubs’ Millennium Award for 2016.

The two teenagers, who both live in Blairgowrie, have recently completed their sixth year at Blairgowrie High School and are embarking on exciting new career paths which the town’s Probus clubs were keen to support.

Clare is off to Tanzania to work in one of the country’s busiest hospital for three weeks before hopefully going on to study medicine at the University of Dundee.

Angus, meanwhile, is going on to study a law and business degree in Glasgow.

Both award recipients have each been given £300 to help them in their respective endeavours.

Wilma Gibb, president of the Blairgowrie Ladies Probus Club, explained how the award system works.

She said: “Pupils at Blairgowrie High School are invited to apply for the Millennium Award every year.

“Shortlisted applicants meet with the presidents of both clubs and the head teacher of the school for an interview and the successful candidates are selected on the basis of the strength of their application and their performance at the interview.

“This year we were very impressed by the nature of what Clare and Angus want to do and their ambition and commitment to achieving their goals.”

Bill Walker, president of the Blairgowrie Probus Club, was quick to praise the two teenagers.