Don’t hide defib machine away

Remember it can only save a life if 999 crew knows it’s there

Renfrewshire MSP Derek Mackay has called on groups and businesses with defibrillators to make sure their life-saving kit is registered.

Ca m p a i g n e r s say 19 defibrillators in Renfrewshire are listed with the Scottish Ambulance Service, but almost the same number are not registered.

Mr Mackay has now teamed up with the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS), and the British Heart Foundation(BHF) to change that.

The Renfrewshire North and West MSP said: “During a cardiac arrest, every second counts and having a publicly accessible defibrillator located in our communities, particularly in rural areas, can save lives.

“While it is fantastic that so many Renfrewshire schools, community groups and shops have defibrillators, it is vitally important that they are registered in order that during a cardiac arrest the emergency services can signpost the 999 caller to the nearest machine.

“To put it simply – if they don’t know you have a defibrillator, they can’t make use of it in an emergency.

“If your business or community group has one of the machines, check with the Scottish Ambulance Service that it is registered. It could make all the difference.”

Mr Mackay has also written to Renfrewshire Council and Renfrewshire Leisure to ask them to ensure any machines located in local schools or publicly- run leisure centres are registered.

David McColgan, senior policy and public affairs manager, BHF Scotland said: “The announcement of the new National Defibrillator Network is an exciting development in improving out of hospital cardiac arrest survival rates in Scotland and the rest of the UK.

“We know that defibrillators play a crucial step in the chain of survival and when used alongside bystander CPR a person’s chance of survival increases greatly.

“Mapping these life- saving machines will enable ambulance call handlers to direct bystanders to the nearest device when appropriate.

“If someone is a guardian of or knows of a public access defibrillator in their area, it can be registered through the Scottish Ambulance Service website and you can help play a part in this lifesaving project.”

It is vitally important that they are registered with the Scottish Ambulance Service in order that during a cardiac arrest emergency call they can signpost the 999 caller to the nearest defibrillator.

Pauline Howie, chief executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service, said: “Having a defibrillator close to hand can mean the difference between life and death.

“The best way to ensure it can save a life is to ensure it is registered with us – that way our 999 call handlers can easily locate it and direct a caller to it in an emergency.

“To register your machine, simply go to the Scottish Ambulance PAD registration site online and provide details of the defibrillator’s location.”

Scottish Ambulance Service can be contacted at : http:// www. scottishambulance. com/ YourCommunity/pad.aspx

it is vitally important they are registered