A Perthshire councillor is urging people to get trained in CPR and use a lifesaving app after arriving at the scene of a fatal cardiac arrest.
Angus Forbes, who represents the Carse of Gowrie ward, was driving to a work commitment in Dundee when he received a distress call from his GoodSAM app.
The digital application sends alerts to registered emergency responders’ phones or devices when a nearby local resident is having a cardiac arrest.
Trained in CPR as a former Mountain Rescue team member, Cllr Forbes accepted the call and raced to the incident located just a mile away.
However, upon his arrival the local representative found that sadly there was nothing he could do.
“Sadly, the patient did not survive,” said Cllr Forbes.
“As it transpired, the call for help had been cancelled but I arrived just as that was being updated on the system.”
He is now urging people to get trained in CPR and to download the GoodSAM app, which is supported by the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS).
The medically qualified network of responders from GoodSAM have helped one cardiac arrest victim every three minutes in the past year on average.
And Cllr Forbes is hoping that more sign up so that more lives can be saved.
“The patient was the same age as me which brought home just how fragile life is,” he continued.
“I feel that the GoodSAM app is a great invention and I am delighted that the Scottish Ambulance Service has adopted it. “Nothing can replace a fully equipped ambulance staffed by qualified paramedics but someone with basic life-saving skills is better than nothing.
“Having instant access to people who are able and willing to help, especially in a rural area when an ambulance may be some distance away, will undoubtedly save lives.
“I was particularly impressed that the Scottish Ambulance Service contacted me quickly after the event to check that I was okay.
“These incidents would be very upsetting to many people and I am glad that the SAS recognise this and are able to make contact and offer any support needed.
“As a previous member of the Mountain Rescue team I have basic life-saving skills and am always willing to help, if needed.
“I would urge everyone to sign up for CPR training and register themselves with the GoodSAM app.
“I intend to organise CPR Training for my constituents to supplement the defibrillators that I managed to get funding for some years ago.
“The Carse is a largely rural ward with most of the residents living a fair distance from the nearest hospital.”
