New piece of kit is a potential life-saver for Pentland Canoe Club
A Caithness watersports club is highlighting the potential life-saving benefits of investing in a pioneering, mobile piece of emergency first-aid equipment.
The portable AED (automated external defibrillator) has been put into service by Pentland Canoe Club, which believes many other sports clubs and community groups should consider following suit.
The device is used on individuals suspected to have suffered a cardiac arrest and delivers an electric shock to help restore the heart rhythm to normal.
Caithness, along with many other areas of the country, has seen the appearance of an increasing number of heart defibrillators at fixed locations outside buildings and in public areas.
The hand-held AED is small and provides voice prompts for their use. It is ideal for clubs, such as Pentland, involved in activities where there is no ready access to emergency assistance when lost minutes can mean the difference between life and death.
The AED unit, along with a training device and a waterproof storage box, has been purchased with the support of a £200 equipment grant from Caithness Sports Council (CSC).
Club chairman Gary Youngson said: “This is a significant item of life-saving equipment we have purchased, with support from the sports council.
“Being portable, means that the club and our members will have ready access to an AED at our paddling venues across the north of Scotland. Many of these are in remote areas where there might not be an AED available.
“It’s about the size of a small computer tablet, meaning that it can also be carried in our kayaks. While we hope the equipment will never be used, it will increase the survival chances of an individual should they suffer a cardiac arrest during a club activity, or if we come across a member of the public in difficulties.”
The purchase cost the club £720, which includes the first year membership of a scheme that will replace the device at the end of its life or when it is used in an emergency.
The CSC chairman, Highland councillor Ron Gunn, is keen to promote the potential vital role a portable AED can have in the sporting arena and in everyday life.
Pentland Canoe Club’s winter swimming pool training sessions begin on Thursday, November 7. Anyone interested in learning to kayak or would like further information about the pool sessions can email mail@pentlandcanoeclub.org.uk
