A DEFIBRILLATOR, available to the general public in emergencies, has been installed at a tattoo parlour in Stirling’s city centre.

The device is in a cabinet on the outside walls of Lab Monkey Tattoo on Baker Street and could save someone’s life if they suffer a cardiac arrest.

Fraser Swain, a friend of the tattoo place and full time paramedic, came up with the idea.

With experience in responding to emergency situations on a daily basis, Fraser knows all too well the importance of having public access defibrillators available in public places.

Lab Monkey staff teamed up with St John Scotland to put it in place as part of the charity’s drive to increase the number of devices available.

When a person suffers a cardiac arrest, collapses and stops breathing, their survival chances drop drastically with every minute they go without treatment.

Performing CPR and using a defibrillator to deliver an electric shock to the heart, which allows it to naturally restart its proper rhythm, is vital.

Lab Monkey owners Stuart McKellor, aka Soap, and Rob Fraser were both keen to install the device.

Stuart said: “After hearing Fraser’s tales from the front line, we knew early access to a defibrillator can save lives, and we wanted to help provide one for the street we’re based on.”

Staff also raised funds by organising their Have Heart day – offering heart design tattoos in exchanges for a donation with proceeds going towards the purchase of the defibrillator.

The day was a huge success, raising £3,700 not only for the device, but for St John Scotland, Forth Valley First Responders and the Blood Bikes initiative.

Stuart added: “The turnout for the Have Heart day was beyond our wildest expectations.

“Thank you to Zara Dickson from Blue Lass Tattoo in Falkirk and Alan Proctor from Bold and Gold Art in Edinburgh for helping us out, and we have to thank everyone who came down to the shop for their heart tattoo and donated.

“Hopefully when they look at their tattoo they’ll know that it may help save a life one day.”

Angus Loudon, executive Director of St John Scotland, said: “Our work as a charity is all about saving and enhancing life, so we are very pleased that we’ve been able to work with the team at Lab Monkey Tattoo to provide this defibrillator for the benefit of the community in Stirling.

“Although of course we hope that it will never need to be used, it is great to know it is available 24/7 to the public and could save someone’s life.

“We’re also hugely impressed at the team’s fundraising efforts, and very grateful that they were able to make an additional donation to St John Scotland, which will further enhance our life-saving work.”

Any public venues or community groups looking to purchase a public access defibrillator can contact info@stjohnscotland.org.uk for help.