Community celebrate as lifesaving device installed
A defibrillator has been installed in a rural Perthshire parish.
Residents of Kilry and Glenisla recently welcomed a Public Access Defibrillator (PAD).
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.
On Saturday, March 19, members of the Kilry and Glenisla community enjoyed coffee and cakes to celebrate the installation of the community resource.
St John Scotland volunteers, led by Dr Ian Morrison, also provided free CPR and defibrillator training to help locals learn how to save a life in the event of cardiac arrest.
St John Scotland has supported the installation of the defibrillator as part of its 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.
“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, Perth and Kinross, said:“Around 70 people have a cardiac arrest each week in Scotland yet, sadly, only one in 10 will survive.
“To give people a far greater chance of survival, it is essential that communities have quick and easy access to a defibrillator.”
More information about St John Scotland’s support for community defibrillators, and CPR, can be found on their website: www. stjohnscotland.org.uk