As a highly successful 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games came to a close Youth Team Scotland were delighted to be able to leave behind a lasting legacy for the people of Samoa with the donation of two Cardiac Life Sciences defibrillator units.
In partnership with Lucky2BHere and World Rugby, Commonwealth Games Scotland, the organisation behind Youth Team Scotland, gifted the two Automated External Defibrillator (AED) units which were accepted by the Samoan Red Cross and the Samoan Rugby Union.
Lucky2Bhere are a Skye based charity who place defibrillators in rural areas where ambulance response times are greater due to distance. The chances of resuscitation being successful decreases by roughly 10% per minute if a defibrillator is not present. If a defibrillator is used it increases the survival from out of hospital cardiac arrest from 8% to 35%.
The units, made by Cardiac Life Sciences, are fully automated and so require minimal training to operate. The devices were handed over to their new homes by Youth Team Scotland General Team manager Elinor Middlemiss, team doctor Jonathan Hanson and flagbearer Craig McLean and will be on the frontline, saving lives in Samoa.
Lucky2Bhere were alerted to Samoa’s lack of defibrillators when Dr Jonathan Hanson, in his capacity as Global Technical Director, was in the country delivering World Rugby’s First Aid in Rugby course, part of an extensive Player Welfare Initiative which provides guidelines and expert advice for players of all ages. The charity stepped in to help with the donation of over £3,000 worth of equipment for the Samoan people.
Lucky2Bhere founder Mr Ross Cowie said: “Lucky2Bhere are proud to be supporting our friends in the Samoan Red Cross and Samoan Rugby Union with the provision of two Cardiac Life Sciences defibrillators for use at sports and public events. In cardiac arrest each minute’s delay in defibrillation reduces the chance of successful resuscitation by 10 percent. The aim of Lucky2Bhere is specifically to place defibrillators and training in rural areas and we are proud to work with Commonwealth Games Scotland and World Rugby to place two devices in Samoa.”
Chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, Paul Bush said:
“Commonwealth Games Scotland is proud to be able to contribute in a small way to the life-saving work undertaken by this small but vital Scottish charity. We are immensely grateful to Lucky2Bhere for the donation of the two AEDs which were carried by our medical team in Samoa for the duration of the Games and will now save lives in their new locations.
“Lucky2Bhere provide a vital service for our rural communities and I am delighted we are able to be part of a lasting legacy on the other side of the world.”
A range of other medical equipment was also donated to Commonwealth Games Scotland by Immediate Care Ireland which will provide medical backup for Scottish athletes during future Games.