The charity has been launched for the Helensburgh area, including Cardross and Luss, dedicated to saving lives by installing public access defibrillators and training the public in CPR skills and how a Defibrillator (AED) works
The first 10 minutes are critical following cardiac arrest with the chance of survival reducing by up to 10% for every minute that defibrillation is delayed. Our a
im is that 90% of the population is within half a mile of a defibrillator accessible 24 hours a day. We aim to raise £25,000 to fund this scheme and its ongoing maintenance. A single unit and cabinet costs £1500. Donations can be sent to the above address
Heartstart and the British Red Cross have been delivering first aid training in Helensburgh and the surrounding areas for many years. Members of the two organisations have joined with other local groups to form the above charity. The Association includes Keith Shipman, group leader for the Helensburgh Branch of the British Red Cross, Sheenah Nelson, Heartstart Co-ordinator Helensburgh & Garelochside Rotary and Russell McKinnon who has set up two previous community responder teams. We are also working closely with the Garelochhead/Rosneath First Responders and Trossachs Search & Rescue. Helensburgh is the largest urban area in Argyll and Bute. We have an excellent Scottish Ambulance Service with a station in Helensburgh but the reality is that, once deployed it takes its patients to the Royal Alexandria Hospital in Paisley. This leaves Helensburgh and the Peninsula without ambulance cover for some hours. It is often the case that, once released at the hospital, the ambulance is deployed within Glasgow. Ambulances then have to come from the Vale of Leven and even wider afield. We believe that the best way to support the ambulance service and tackle this shortfall and to improve the chance of survival of someone suffering a cardiac arrest is by training the community in Emergency Life Support Skills and defibrillator awareness and to have defibrillators easily available. These courses take 2hrs and are delivered free of charge.
