TWO life-saving devices are soon to go up for the community in Tullibody following a successful fundraiser.

Public access defibrillators are to be installed in heated outdoor cabinets on the Muirside Estate.

Councillor Darren Lee teamed up with resident Gavan Mooney, owner of Sika First Aid, to raise the funds for the two defibrillators.

The duo were out with a stall at the estate on Saturday, March 20, to raise awareness of the project and to demonstrate cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) – an essential skill to be employed when a defibrillator needs to be put to good use.

Cllr Lee told the Advertiser: "The need for defibrillators was highlighted after a well known local resident suffered heart complications and had to be rushed to hospital."

He added: "We received overwhelming support from the community on our JustGiving page.

"On Saturday, March 20, we ran a local stall to raise awareness of the project and to demonstrate CPR.

"This event raised over £800 and took us over target."

Indeed, around £2,100 had been raised for the defibrillators and heated cabinets by the time of writing.

The defibrillators will be provided by St John Ambulance.

Cllr Lee added: "I am now in discussion with St John Ambulance and the council to obtain the units before getting them installed at two points on Muirside Avenue.

"Gavan will be running CPR and defibrillation training once these units are installed.

"This will provide vital skills, raise awareness and some additional money for heart charities too."

Public access defibrillators normally come in locked and heated cabinets.

In case of a cardiac arrest emergency, people are advised to call 999 immediately.

The operator will direct them to the nearest available registered device, providing the code to access the defibrillator.

CPR must be employed to keep blood and oxygen flowing to vital organs around the casualty's body.

Automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) come with easy to understand instructions and most models come with pre-recorded audio to guide people through their usage.

The device will assess the casualty's heart rhythm and will decide if delivering a shock is necessary to reset the electrical state of the most vital organ in the human body.

The number of public access AEDs has been growing around many communities in the Wee County over the past years and the project in Muirside is set to extend that coverage.

Cllr Lee said: "We hope that these Defibrillators never have to be used, however, if needed they will save lives."