DUNFERMLINE firefighters helped give members of the public the skills they need to save lives at a special CPR training session last week.

No superpowers were needed for the heroes-in-training as they got to grips with chest compressions, mouth-to-mouth and using defibrillators.

Last year, the Press launched our 'Take Heart' campaign to ask that public access defibrillators are bought and placed in the town – for anyone to access at any time in case the very worst happens. 

We visited the session to show our support for the initiative and see what the West Fifers who turned up thought about the training.

Mary Muir, from Rosyth, said: "It's something I thought would be useful to know. You never know when you might need it.

"My husband always said if anything ever happened then he'd like me to be able to give him a chance!

"It was good to get up-to-date information because it's a bit different from what it used to be. I feel I'd be much more confident doing it now. I'd be able to control my panic a bit.

"I don't think I'd have known anything apart from watching it on the TV. I didn't realise how much effort it took in the speed and technique. It's better to get a hands-on experience.

"I'd definitely recommend it to everyone. It should be done in schools as well, even primary schools because they can keep it with them as they grow up. That would be excellent."

Euan MacPherson, who took the training, said: "It was pretty successful. We had seven individuals who went through it so it was quite good for a first time.

"It was mainly older people who were thinking about their partners and wanting to be able to do something but there was also a younger couple there wanting to learn about CPR for their baby.

"We do a lot of training on a regular basis at the station but the vast majority of the people who came in had no training, it was their first introduction to it.

"What surprised me was their technique genuinely became very good by the end of the one-hour session. I think if, God forbid, they ever had to do it, they'd now know what to do.

"It was definitely worthwhile. Any extra people who know CPR can only be a good thing."

If you suffer a cardiac arrest in the centre of Dunfermline, the life-saving device you need may be yards away – but it could also be behind a locked door.

Defibrillators can deliver the electric shock to the heart that can make the difference between life and death and keep you alive – every second counts and there are around 20 of the devices in and around the town.

But most people don’t know where they are and, even worse, if you’re struck down late in the evening, early morning or on a Sunday, chances are you won’t get access to it.

Our 'Take Heart' campaign aims to get more defibrillators installed across the town in places that can be accessed every hour of the day.

After attending the training, Mary is backing the Press campaign and said: "What I'd like to know now is where they are located. It would be good to know where they are in the area where I live."

What should you do if you come across someone in need of help?

Shake their shoulders and shout loudly to check if they are unconscious.

If they are unconscious, check if they are breathing by tilting your head so your ear is above their face. LOOK to see if their chest is rising. LISTEN for sounds of breathing. FEEL for any breath coming out of their nose or mouth.

If they are not breathing, call for help. Ask somebody to phone an ambulance and tell them the person is not breathing and needs a defibrillator.

Start CPR by pressing 30 times on the chest with the heel of one hand, with the other hand clasped over the top. After the 30 chest compressions, pinch their nose and breathe into their mouth twice, checking the chest is rising.

Continue with the 30x2 pattern, aiming for four sets in one minute, for as long as you can or until an ambulance arrives.