Largs First Responders has played a crucial role in saving lives locally - and it is part of an important strategy which is having positive results all round the country.

Cunninghame North MSP Kenneth Gibson has praised the positive impact of the Largs volunteers as the national bid to improve out-of-hospital cardiac arrest figures have been revealed.

More than 60,000 people across Scotland were given life-saving CPR training in 2016 as part of an unprecedented national collaboration of more than a dozen organisations, including emergency services and the voluntary groups - such as our local responders.

Kenneth Gibson said: "The SNP Government aims to save 1,000 extra lives over five years and equip an additional half a million people in Scotland with CPR skills.

“Each year in Scotland there is around 3,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. Our strategy aims to equip as many people as possible with these life-saving skills as well as looking at how our healthcare and emergency services can support a rapid and effective response to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest."

The key achievements of the past year include the training of over 60,000 people in CPR skills.

The British Heart Foundation have supplied ‘Call-Push-Rescue’ training kits to all 356 Scottish Fire and Rescue stations, which local communities can access.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will trial an initiative in three pilot areas across Scotland to raise awareness and provide information on how to assist someone experiencing an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest during Home Fire Safety Visits.

A social media campaign is to launch with Young Scot to engage them in CPR training opportunities, and the use of defibrillators by the roadside will be trialled by Police Scotland.

The Scottish Ambulance Service will map the locations of all public defibrillators.

Communities which have disproportionately poorer outcomes from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest will be actively targeted to increase skills and awareness.

Dr Gareth Clegg, Resuscitation Research Group lead, University of Edinburgh, added: “Every week across Scotland the equivalent of a full double decker bus load of people have resuscitation attempted after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Unfortunately only around 1 in 20 of these people will return home to their families alive.

“Scotland’s strategy for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest brings together a range of partners from emergency services to third sector organisations. Together we have the opportunity to save hundreds of lives across the country, but we need the help of the people of Scotland.

“By being willing to perform bystander CPR, anyone could dramatically increase the chance of a victim’s survival. The people of Scotland have the power to save lives in our hands.”

“Be ready to save a life - find training near you by visiting www.savealife.scot.”