Putting Defibrillators On The Map
We have published a new Town Guide & Map that is available free of charge from outlets across Cupar. In designing the guide, it was pointed out that it would be useful for visitors to know the locations of all the defibrillators across the town. However, in our research, we discovered that there are more defibrillators than we can show as some are located beyond the town centre. And so this Blog is to tell the story of how Cupar came to have defibrillators – and to share their locations for the benefit of all …
What is a defibrillator?
A defibrillator is a device that gives a high energy electric shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest. This high energy shock is called defibrillation, and it’s an essential part in trying to save the life of someone who’s in cardiac arrest. A defibrillator may also be referred to as a defib, an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) or a PAD (Public Access Defibrillator).
They are fully automatic and can be used by any person to help first in the response should one be required. Their use can assist promote recovery and when used within the first 15 minutes of need can be very effective. Lives can be saved through their timely use.
How did Cupar’s defibrillators come about?
Following a fundraising event, which has now become an annual football community event, over £6K was raised to support the provision of defibrillators in Cupar. This allowed the Community Council to purchase and install a network of defibrillators across the town.
Initially, there were eight but the network has grown to 10 after the common good fund funded an additional two – one located within the community phone box on Tarvit Drive and the other at the towns’ ambulance station on Skinners Steps. In addition, community organisations such as churches, retail and others have also sited defibrillators which are accessible and available 24/7. All are listed below together with locations and post codes.
Ready for use …
On a regular basis the defibs are cleaned and checked to ensure they are ready for use. They rely on a long life battery and can be found within an external cabinet which has a small heat pad to extend the life of the battery. The pads are also replaced as necessary. Many of the recent defibs are also GPS enabled which allows their use and location to be tracked.
The Community Council is grateful for the support of all those who fund-raise to support this on going project, Stephen Stewart, who volunteers to check the equipment regularly and East Neuk First Responders who procure the equipment as required.
How to find one …
The Royal Burgh of Cupar and District Community Council Location of Defibrillators – supported by the Community Council:
- Cupar Fire Station, Millgate, KY15 5EE
- Fisher & Donaldson, Ceres Road, KY15 5JT
- 3D Fitness, Crossgate, KY15 5HS
- Fluthers Car Park at front of the Toilet Block, KY15 4HB (Donated by Cupar Blues & Beyond in Memory of Charlie Milne)
- St Columba’s Church, Asher Lane, KY15 4AN
- Eden Fife Auto Care Garage, Westport, KY15 4AW
- Ambulance Station, Skinners Steps, KY15 4DZ
- Community Phone Box, Tarvit Drive, KY15 5BH
- Duffus Park, KY15 4HY
- Cuparmuir Industrial Estate, KY15 5RL
Defibrillators supported by local businesses and organisations can be found at:
- Cupar Golf Club, Ceres Road, KY15 5JT
- Cupar Motorcycles, West Port, KY15 4AW
- Old Parish Church Centre, Kirkgate, KY15 5AL
- St John’s Church, Bonnygate, KY15 4BY
We would also like to let all know that there are defibrillators at:
- Cupar’s Tesco store
- SRUC, Elmwood Campus
Share the news …
It is important that people are aware of the location of the town’s defibrillators: to that end, we’ve created a QR code that links with this Blog piece. Feel free to share or use in your own online or printed literature. You can download the image below from this link or by clicking on the image itself.
And finally …
We would like to thank Robert Graham of Cupar’s Community Council for his help in collating this information – and to all those involved in the programme to date.
Thanks for reading.
