ROYAL DORNOCH EMBRACES MORE LIFE-SAVING TECH

Photo: Royal Dornoch general manager Neil Hampton (left) and Code Blue CPR campaigner David Sullivan pictured with the ground-breaking insulated defibrillator unit installed at the Halfway House on the famous Championship Course

ROYAL Dornoch Golf Club has teed-up another world first.

Last year, the award-winning club decided to fit potentially life-saving defibrillators to all their buggies on the Championship Course, which is rated among the finest links on the planet.

Now, general manager Neil Hampton has welcomed the installation of an insulated unit embracing ground-breaking technology at the busy Halfway House.

Given previous support for the campaign to see defibrillators installed at golf courses and other business premises across the UK, Code Blue CPR campaigner David Sullivan has selected Royal Dornoch for the first pioneering defibrillator unit which can be relied on to operate even when the mercury dips.

“Fortunately, the defibrillators fitted onto our buggies have not had to be used in an emergency, but members and our many international visitors can take to the courses in the knowledge that should the need arise, this easy to operate kit will be close at hand,” said Neil.

The new defib Code Blue Box located at the Halfway House, manufactured from recycled plastic, is at the cutting edge of CPR support.

“While Royal Dornoch enjoys our own microclimate here in the north of Scotland, it is reassuring to know that this casing will protect the defibrillator even if the temperatures tumble well below zero over the winter,” noted Neil.

“Another positive from our perspective is that the insulated cabinet doesn’t require electric cabling to operate an internal heater. That is a big plus.

“We required an electrician for the power cable needed to protect the defibrillator box on the outside of the clubhouse.

“I really do think this will make a huge difference in terms of where defibs can be installed easily and economically on golf courses and elsewhere.”

Surrey-based businessman and former military trainer David is determined to champion CPR training and defibrillators after losing four golfing friends to cardiac arrests.

“More than 350 people die on British golf courses every year and that is unacceptable in this day and age with the technology at our disposal,” said David.

“We lag way behind other countries in cardiac arrest survival rates because we have been reactive rather than proactive.

“If you can get a defibrillator on a patient within three minutes the chances of survival leap from seven or over 70%.

“We have the patent for this unit, which has been fully tested and manufactured in the UK, and I was determined to give Royal Dornoch the opportunity to be the first to roll it out,” he said.

“We have harnessed aerospace material to keep the defibrillator at an ambient temperature and fully operational anywhere between plus 45 and minus 15 degrees Centigrade.

“The next step is to test it at Everest Base Camp.

“Until now, a power source has been required to trigger a protective thermostat.

“That’s not the case with this insulated unit so it is ideal for the far reaches of any golf course, outside business premises, in vehicles or even up mountains and in national parks.

“You don’t need an electrician to install them, there’s no electricity bill or maintenance and at just £449 per box for tax deductible life-saving kit, this is a game changer. Just imagine how awful it would be if a defibrillator didn’t work when it was needed.

“It has been great to see the British Heart Foundation adverts featuring Vinny Jones popping-up on our television screens again, but a lot of work remains to be done familiarising people with even basic CPR.

“Ask yourself, if one of your golfing friends collapsed on the course, would you know what to do?”

For information and tutorials on basic CPR lifesaving and the latest defibrillator options, see codebluecpr.co