A Perthshire councillor has urged people to learn CPR and use a new emergency app after he was called to save a patient from cardiac arrest in Dundee.
Angus Forbes is a cardiac responder for the GoodSAM app, which works with the Scottish Ambulance Service to send alerts to people who are CPR trained when someone nearby is in need.
That became a reality for the Carse of Gowrie councillor when he was driving on the Kingsway last week and was alerted to a nearby cardiac arrest.
Mr Forbes, a former mountain rescue volunteer, was only a few minutes away from the patient but when he arrived they had already died.
Cardiac arrest ‘brought home just how fragile life is’
Despite being unable to help in this situation, the Conservative councillor has urged others to learn CPR and download the app.
The 53-year-old said: “The patient was the same age as me, which brought home just how fragile life is.
“I feel the GoodSAM app is a great invention and I am delighted 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.
“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 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.”
‘I can’t really see a downside’
Mr Forbes also praised the app for its ability to help in areas with longer ambulance wait times.
He added: “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 think there’s quite a lot of Scotland which is quite a distance from ambulances.
“In a situation like this, 15 minutes can be the difference between life and death.
“The Carse is a largely rural ward with most of the residents living a fair distance from the nearest hospital.
“I can’t really see a downside to something like the GoodSAM app.”
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