A LOCHGELLY butcher has called for more education on defibrillators after criticism of the new life-saving device installed outside the shop.

James Sloan, who works at Hugh Black and Sons in Bank Street, climbed Ben Nevis to raise £1,700 for the equipment and feels there is some confusion about when it is required.

He said a member of the public tried to use it when a lady became unwell but was unable to after 999 operators told them a defibrillator was not required.

James said: “They have gone back and said it is not registered but what has happened is they have phoned the ambulance service and they didn’t meet the right criteria for them to use it.

“It is only to be used if someone is having a cardiac arrest. When you phone and it is required, there’s a security code which stops people breaking into it.

“We want to pass the message on that the ambulance service won’t give the code out if they don’t think it is needed. If it had been needed for someone having a cardiac arrest, the code would have been given.”

For anyone who suffers a cardiac arrest, which is different from a heart attack, a defibrillator can deliver an electric shock to try to restore a normal heart rhythm and bring them back from the dead.

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson confirmed their call operators assess if a defibrillator is required while taking an emergency call.

“When someone rings 999 one of our call takers will ask a series of questions as part of our triage system – this is to determine the priority of the call and any additional advice that may be required prior to the crew attending. This also includes identifying the need for a defibrillator,” they said.

“Defibrillators are only used on patients suffering a cardiac arrest. It’s a common misconception that they are used to help patients suffering a heart attack – they never are.

“If a defibrillator is needed, the call taker will direct the caller to the nearest public access defibrillator (PAD) which has been registered with the Scottish Ambulance Service.

"You do not need to be clinically trained to use a PAD. Modern defibrillators are fitted with a computerised voice which will give the user full vocal instructions on its use.

"The defibrillator is clever enough to decide whether a patient is in cardiac arrest and will not shock a patient unless it is indicated.

“It is vital that anyone who has a defibrillator manages its maintenance and registers it with us at https://pad.scottishambulance.com.”