21 February 2019

When the Eilean Siar team started three years ago, there were seven AEDs in the Western Isles – now there are 123. A huge well done to Angus, Fiona, Roddy and everyone else involved in Eilean Siar. What you have achieved on a voluntary basis in such a short time is truly amazing! 

Four years ago, on January 28^th 2015, Angus Morrison of Balallan suffered a heart attack. More fortunate than some, he survived the traumatic experience and started thinking what could be done to get help quickly to people in a similar situation.

For Angus, Councillor for the Uig and North Lochs District, that moment was life-changing in more ways than one. It set him off on a quest to ensure that easy-to-use life-saving equipment could be made readily available in public places and it set in motion a shift in thinking that would touch people all over the Western Isles.

"You never know when someone is going to collapse from a cardiac arrest," said Angus. "The first few minutes in that situation are vital to increase their chance of survival. Not everyone can be saved by using a defibrillator, but we thought if we could save just one life by having them available, it would be worth it. And it’s not just that all those defibrillators have been installed. Thousands of people, including children throughout the Western Isles, have received training in how to administer CPR and the use of a defibrillator, with Lucky2Bhere providing the training and installation advice."

There is now a defibrillator in every school in the Western Isles, supplied by Lucky2Bhere, a tremendous achievement in itself. The defibrillators are located outside the school, so they can be used during term time and at the same time be available to the community outwith school hours. All are accessible 24/7 for any sudden need.