West coast ferry operator, Caledonian MacBrayne – running services from Arran to the Isle of Lewis - and Argyll Ferries running the passenger service between Gpurock and Dunoon will soon be fitting their ferries with Automated External Defibrillation (AED) devices thanks to its new partnership with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service.
Under the agreement, BHF Scotland will co-fund the provision of AEDs on CalMac ferries and the Scottish Ambulance Service will train CalMac crews in their use and will provide ongoing support.
In making the announcement, CalMac’s Interim Managing Director Gary Robertson, says: ‘We have been wrestling with a number of issues around the deployment of AEDs on ferries for many years and are delighted to have found a partnership solution that enables us to provide this valuable public access defibrillator service.
‘We are very grateful to BHF Scotland, which has helped us identify the type of AED device which is best suited for deployment on our ferries and to the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) for agreeing to train crew members to use AEDS initially and into the future. SAS also will act as clinical advisors.
‘It will take a little time to install AEDs on all our vessels and train the crews as necessary, but we would hope to have them available initially on the large ferries as soon as possible and the smaller vessels after that. In addition to being available for crew members to use, they will be sited in public areas of the ships so can be used by members of the public too. (Ed: presumably this mean ‘competent’ members of the public.)
‘We already link up with the ambulance service in emergency situations so this extension of that relationship makes real sense.’
Marjory Burns, Director of BHF Scotland, says: ‘Most cardiac arrests happen away from hospital and many of the resulting deaths could be avoided if the person is treated with a defibrillator within about four minutes of collapsing.
‘If your heart stops, every second really does count, and having a defibrillator on hand – with personnel trained to use it – gives the best possible chance of survival.
‘BHF Scotland is committed to helping save more lives in emergency situations. That’s why we welcome CalMac’s decision to make this life-saving equipment available on ferries across Scotland, and we are delighted to have been able to provide funding for this initiative.’
Pat O’Meara, General Manager, Community Resilience, Scottish Ambulance Service, says: ‘There is clear evidence that early intervention with first aid skills and the use of defibrillators before the ambulance crews are on scene can save lives and make a significant contribution to the quality of recovery for patients. This is an excellent initiative that will have a positive impact for ferry passengers.’
The AEDs will be installed on all 28 CalMac ships and Argyll Ferries’ two passenger ships.
This is a very worthwhile and socially responsible partnership initiative. for which all concerned are to be warmly congratulated.
Background information
An Automated External Defibrillator or AED is a life-saving machine that can give the heart a controlled electrical shock during a cardiac arrest. For every minute that passes without defibrillation chances of survival decrease by about 10 per cent. Research shows that giving a controlled shock within five minutes of collapse provides the best possible chance of survival.
A cardiac arrest is when your heart stops pumping blood around your body. You are unresponsive and won’t be breathing normally. Immediate CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and defibrillation is needed to have any chance of survival. If you’re untrained or worried about rescue breaths, hands-only CPR can increase a person’s chances of survival prior to a defibrillator and professional help arriving.
Terrific idea, and not before time. To answer the question about “competent public” use, these devices are designed only to operate when necessary and include full instructions; however professional medical aid must be sought as a matter of urgency.
What does surprise me is that a company of the size of CalMac requires assistance from a charity to purchase about two dozen AEDs, given that these are available at a cost of between £800 and £1,200 each from a range of suppliers. Perhaps the board has made arrangements for a suitable donation to BHF Scotland?
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Given my experience of the toy boats on the Dunoon run, I continue to refrain using them in anything other than smooth conditions when I visit the cardiac unit at Inverclyde.
Whilst this is a laudable initiative, I would prefer boats which actually do not require this type of equipment.
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Poor old Argyll Ferries – that was a joke waiting to happen.
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Newsroom,
I thought long and hard before writing that comment. It was too obvious an open goal.
Hopefully, some of the politically active types pick up on the need for defibs on the toy ferries. (grin)
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“competent public” use
I would back up the comment above the defibrillator for public use is fully automatic, it wont shock unless it its required, unlike the ambulance and hospital ones.
If in doubt use it it wont do any harm but it could save a life.
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I know of one life that might well have been saved if Calmac had carried defibs on their ferries. These machines are so easy to use; it does it all for you.
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