Life saving boxes go up round town

The Automated External Defibrillators (AED) or ‘shock boxes’ installed at three locations are capable of saving someone suffering a heart attack.
Having led the campaign for devices, local entertainer John Steel said: “They’re going up, and within the week the first one will be switched on — followed by the others.”
The AEDs are being installed outside Atwal Convenience Store on Springbells Road, at The Queensberry Arms Hotel in Annan High Street, and the Station Inn at Annan Railway Station.
Explaining how the devices work, John said: “The machines tell you exactly what to do.
“They’ll tell you if you have the pads are in the wrong place, and they’ll tell you if the person doesn’t need a shock.
“And once they’re shocked, it will tell you if they do or don’t need another one.”
But although the devices are simple to use, John said: “We’ve got a short DVD which show how these work.
“We’re hoping that it can be shown in schools.”
Fundraising for the AEDs took place almost a year ago, with John motivated by the death years before of his uncle — who collapsed in the centre of Annan after suffering a heart attack.
John organised ‘onesie days’ in pubs around Annan, and gratitude is expressed to all those who took part or donated to the effort.
Thanks are also expressed to Boyd Carroll who has helped erect the boxes and John Carroll Electrical Services who have helped connect the boxes free of charge, and to John Smith Electrical Services who fixed initial problems with the devices.