Royal Dornoch Golf Club becomes the first in the world with defibrillators initiative
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ROYAL Dornoch has become the first golf club in the world to install defibrillators on all their buggies.
Now Heart Start campaigners who have lost friends to fatal cardiac arrests are confident others will follow in the footsteps of the club.
Surrey businessman and ex-military trainer David Sullivan and former England international footballer John Salako joined forces three years ago to promote widespread access to defibrillators.
“Royal Dornoch is the first course in the world to install potentially life-saving defibrillators and first aid kits on each of their golf buggies but, hopefully, it won’t be long before others follow suit,” said Sullivan who embarked on his crusade after suffering the tragedy of losing four close friends in their forties, all to cardiac arrest.
“We are seeing more and more golf clubs around the UK purchasing defibrillators for their clubhouses.
“That is fantastic. But we believe clubs can go one step further to protect members and visitors by providing defibrillators in every buggy going out onto the course.”
Royal Dornoch general manager Neil Hampton believes other golf clubs will embrace the concept.
“We were very impressed with what David and John have been doing to promote the use of defibrillators,” he said.
“We have had one at the clubhouse and at the half-way house for several years.
“Luckily, they haven’t been called into action so far, but defibrillators have a track record of saving lives.
“Now we have installed a Phillips AED on all five buggies that are hired out to golfers with medical conditions. Another is used by our roving ranger and that could prove particularly invaluable if someone is in distress. They are simple to use, the machine talks you through what to do in the event of an emergency.”
