New life-saving heart start machines installed at five Inverness city centre locations
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FIVE public access life saving heart-start machines have been placed at busy locations in Inverness city centre thanks to a co-ordinated community project.
And one businessman at today's (Wed July 13) launch ceremony knows from scary experience just how vital electronic defibrillators can be in shocking cardiac arrest victims back to life.
Ken Loades of pub chain Cru Holdings Ltd, was in the Ness Islands several years ago when local minister Hector Morrison collapsed and stopped breathing while out running.
Luckily a nurse Joan Roehling was on holiday from the USA and she began vigorous resuscitation and roped in Mr Loades and others to assist.
He said yesterday: "It was really strenuous compressions that we had to maintain for more than 30 minutes while waiting for an ambulance. You really have to go for it.
"It was pretty frightening because Mr Morrison was obviously in a bad way.
"Then someone appeared with a defibrillator from the Ice Centre and that really helped the situation."
He added: "For me that was the start of campaigning to buy defibrillators, having seen how effective they are at shocking heart attack victims back to life."
Cru Holdings along with two local butcher companies Duncan Fraser & John Munro, Queensgate, and Hastie & Dyce Butcher, Victorian Market then approached Inverness City Centre BID to assist them in their defibrillator quest and this in turn led to support coming from The Victorian Market, Highland Council, their roads and street lighting departments, and the Inverness Common Good Fund, who agreed to purchase a further two units costing £1,750 each.
The defibrillators are located at key locations chosen for footfall and ease of public access at the corner of Church Street and School Lane (sponsor Duncan Fraser and John Munro Butchers)
Queensgate entrance to the Victorian Market (Hastie & Dyce Butcher)
Union Street entrance to the Victorian Market (Inverness Common Good Fund)
Academy Street/Falcon Square pedestrian crossing (Cru Holdings)
Castle Wynd/Bridge Street corner (Inverness Common Good Fund)
The defibrillators were supplied by Skye based charity Lucky2BHere started by Portree man Ross Cowie whose life was saved by an ambulance crew with a defibrillator following his cardiac arrest in 2009.
Lucky2BHere through volunteers such as Inverness woman Pam Gowie give emergency life support training wherever their new units are installed.
She said: "There will most likely be training based in the Victorian Market as there are now these five new machines in and around that area.
"It is all about giving people the confidence to use them in a collapse situation."
This strategic coverage of this vital lifesaving equipment for the city centre empowers and enables the community and businesses to manage a life-threatening situation, should the need arise.
All units are registered with the Ambulance Service and Lucky2BHere charity, who can advise any 999 caller where they are located in an emergency, so that lifesaving action can be taken before medical personnel arrive.
Inverness Provost Glynis Sinclair said: “With the Victorian Market and the Town House being in such key sites within the city centre, surrounded by many types of businesses, residential buildings, and an attraction for tourists, it was obvious that they should have public access defibrillator units.
"With the support of Inverness Common Good Funding and businesses we now have the comfort of knowing that life-threatening situations can be managed quickly and effectively in the city centre.”
John McDonald, Inverness City Centre BID: “Our thanks must go to the individual local independent businesses who raised funds and provided corporate donations to finance the purchase of these lifesaving units, and I was delighted to get involved.
"The provision of this vital 24/7 accessible life saving devices will ensure that anyone suffering from cardiac arrest in our city centre will have the best opportunity for survival.”
Mr Loades added: “We sincerely hope this unit never needs to be used, but should the time come it will be ready for action and available to all the community 24/7.”
