HOPES of bringing a vital piece of life-saving equipment to Alloa could be dependent on the generosity and support of individuals and businesses.

Fundraiser Gary Drummond is determined to gather the cash needed for a cabinet that will house an automatic external defibrillator (AED) in the town centre.

The defibrillator itself has already been sourced with a battery, but the cabinet is needed to make it accessible to the general public at any time.

That means anyone can help a patient suffering from a cardiac arrest by collecting the unit and taking it to the casualty.

Once installed and in place, 999 ambulance control staff will direct callers to the device and detail instructions while help races to the scene.

Gary, a selfless volunteer with Forth Valley First Responders, is spearheading the crucial move and calling for public support.

However, he insists the defibrillator alone is not enough and is organising a free CPR training event at Alloa Town Hall next month to pass on valuable skills to as many locals as possible.

He told the Advertiser: "All you need to think is: 'they are dead if I don't do this'.

"You are that person's best chance to survive. Just block everything out around you and do the job at hand and don't stop when the ambulance arrives, wait until somebody takes over and never-ever stop doing compressions once you've started."

He added: "You need to remember that you can't make anything worse."

An AED is essential to reset the heart once a person goes into cardiac arrest, but a shock in itself is not enough if there is no rhythm in the organ.

Gary explained the good thing about an AED is it will not shock if the patient does not need it, but in turn it also will not work if there is no activity in the heart – a flat line.

He added: "Doing compressions, you could get the heart back into a shockable rhythm. Then the defibrillator picks it up and then you get 'shock advised' [instruction on the device].

"That's the only way you'll get a patient back."

Paramedics carry extra tools including cardiac drugs and though they will likely arrive at an emergency within minutes, every second counts.

The CPR training event at Alloa Town Hall will take place on Sunday, November 12, between 12noon and 6pm.

Beyond the training, a range of organisations will be on hand to chat with anyone who comes along – including organisers Forth Valley First Responders, Police Scotland, the Scottish Ambulance Service, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Ochils Mountain Rescue and Safe Drive Stay Alive.

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