Funding from The British Heart Foundation and The Scottish Ambulance Service, along with significant donations from local people and businesses, have enabled the purchase and installation of several lifesaving Public Access Defibrillators (PADS) in the Aboyne area. When CPR chest compressions and a defibrillator are used together, chances of survival from cardiac arrest greatly increase.

A small team of volunteers under the auspices of Aboyne Community Trust now looks after six PADS in Aboyne.

Where the PADS are located

• Strachans of Royal Deeside, Ballater Road AB34 5HT
• Ambulance Station, Bell Wood Road AB34 5HQ
• Rose Lodge, Old Mart Road (on the way to the Co-op) AB34 5HU
• Boat Inn (at the back), Charleston Road AB34 5EL
• Aboyne & District Men’s Shed, Aboyne Community Shed, Castle Woods AB34 5DZ
• Deeside Community Centre, Aboyne Academy AB34 5JN

How to access and use a PAD

If you think you may need a defibrillator, phone 999 first and then go for or send someone to fetch a defibrillator.

Inside the weather-proof, unlocked box is a portable defibrillation device that can easily be removed and taken to a casualty. The box is alarmed and when opened for use (opening from the top down) the alarm will sound until the box is closed again or 3 minutes goes by. Please close the box behind you as quickly as possible by pulling the lid towards you before closing.

The device works from its own onboard internal battery and is fully automated. Once turned on it will carefully and clearly talk you through the steps required, analysing the patient, guiding you through rounds of CPR and only delivering a shock if required. The device will never deliver a shock to a normally functioning heart and there is no chance, therefore, of accidental or malicious usage. If you do have cause to use one of the devices, please ensure it is put back in its box and that the relevant person is contacted so that the device can be checked and re-stocked as necessary as soon as possible. Contact details can be found within the individual boxes on the device case label.

Contact: aboynedefibs@gmail.com