Alex says thanks for saving his life
Guest at ceremony
A biker whose life was saved by a portable defibrillator will be guest of honour at the unveiling of the 100th machine.
Six months ago Alex Wilson collapsed and stopped breathing after he went into cardiac arrest while attending a rally at Thornhill.
But today (Friday) he is fighting fit and will welcome the 100th defibrillator launched by Trossachs Search And Rescue.
Retired gardener Alex, 67, was on the first night of a weekend get-together organised by the Moto Guzzi Club GB when he suffered a cardiac arrest in the community hall.
Two fellow members of the Scottish branch carried out CPR while local mum Michelle Fordyce went for the public access defibrillator on the village’s Main Street.
Between the three of them they shocked Alex’s heart into beating again.
He was taken to Forth Valley Royal Hospital to recover and has the machine - as well as the quick-thinking trio - to thank for saving his life.
His wife Elaine, 52, told the Observer: “We are honoured to have been invited to the launch of the 100th machine.
“Six months on, we can’t express just how important these defibs are. Alex wouldn’t be here without one.
“He’s back to full fitness again, although he had to take it easy to start with, and we’ll be returning to Thornhill next May for the Moto Guzzi rally.”
Because Alex had suffered a heart attack 12 years ago, he had an operation this year to fit an ICD, an internal pacemaker which can shock his heart into action if it stops beating again.
Alex, from Lasswade, is one of six people to have been resuscitated by members of the public using a defibrillator.
Those six successes come from nine attempted resuscitations.
Stuart Ballantyne, chairman of Trossachs SAR, said: “This equals the top cities in the USA and Europe and is even more amazing considering it’s in a very rural area.”
Three of those resuscitated are from the Stirling Council areas of Inversnaid, Kinlochard and Thornhill. .
Today Trossachs SAR will launch its 100th public access defibrillator as part of a joint project with three other organisations. Together they have delivered free CPR and defibrillator training to over 1500 people in the area this year.
Stuart added: “Our target three years ago was to get half a dozen defibrillators out to rural areas.
“We’re delighted and amazed at the number which are now available. Hotels in particular are starting to invest in them and make them available to their local communities.”
The latest defibrillator will be at the bar/restaurant on Inchmurrin Island, Loch Lomond, where donations from visitors have purchased a lifesaving machine.
A defibrillator locator app can be downloaded at www. trossachsdefibrillator.co.uk. Businesses with a defibrillator can contact trossachs.sar@ btinternet.com to have it added to the system.