Aberdeen based D M Wood Medical has donated a lifesaving defibrillator to Braemar Mountain Rescue. The HeartStart unit worth more than £1,000 will help the volunteers of the rescue unit to save lives on the hills and help protect the local community.
The decision to donate the defibrillator to the mountain rescue unit was made by Nathan Gore, a director of Aberdeen oil services firm GoreVega, who won a competition organised by D M Wood at this year’s Offshore Europe exhibition.
“I am keen on outdoor pursuits so when I was given the privilege of deciding where this valuable piece of lifesaving equipment should go, the Braemar Mountain Rescue team was an obvious choice,” explained Nathan Gore. “The mountain rescue team is a voluntary organisation and I am delighted to have had the chance to help out thanks to D M Wood.”
The Heart Start First Aid defibrillator is specifically designed to allow first-responders to effectively treat cardiac arrest victims in emergency situations.
When a cardiac arrest occurs, it is vital that the victim is treated quickly. Defibrillation within the first six minutes following arrest can massively increase the person’s chance of survival.
If a person collapses, or if a cardiac arrest is occurring, the first-responder can simply open the defibrillator, place the pads on the casualty, press a clearly marked button and then follow the verbal instructions given by the defibrillator.
“The First Aid defibrillator is ideal for treating cardiac arrest victims whilst waiting for an ambulance to arrive,” explained D M Wood Medical’s Managing Director, David Wood.
“The defibrillator is an automated machine which detects the heart rhythm and will decide if defibrillation is required. It is simple and quick to operate making it ideal for use in the challenging environments often encountered by the rescue team.”
As cardiac arrest survival rates are so significantly influenced by how quickly treatment is provided, the First Aid defibrillator can be a real life saver.
Phil Glennie of Braemar Mountain Rescue added his thanks to D M Wood and Nathan Gore.
“We’re delighted to receive this lifesaving piece of medical equipment, it complements other lifesaving equipment we take when we are called out, but it will also be made available to the local community in and around Braemar as a first responder unit.
“As the popularity of outdoor pursuits continues to grow, it is inevitable that the availability of specialist equipment such as this defibrillator becomes increasingly important. As a voluntary service, donations of any type are always welcome and I must thank David Wood and Nathan Gore for their kind generosity.”