Club’s free defibrillator proves to be a lifesaver

The annual ne’erday hockey match — held at Clydesdale’s artificial pitch — could have been marked by tragedy when Graham Bryson (58) suddenly collapsed.

The southside lawyer’s survival was down to an off-duty police officer (a member) and a nurse (a member’s wife), who were on hand to administer CPR using the defibrillator donated to the club by the British Heart Foundation nine months ago — as well as the members trained to use it.

An ambulance arrived soon after and whisked father-of-three Mr Bryson to the Victoria Infirmary.

David Mackie, president of the Pollokshields club, told The Extra: “Be under no illusions — Graham had lost consciousness and stopped breathing. He was dead.

“I am very proud of the speedy reaction of the club members, firstly in recognising the severity of Graham’s condition, and then the response. That’s what kept him alive.”

For both president and player, the New Year’s Day match proved the defibrillator to be “an essential piece of equipment”.

Graham — now recovering at home — added: “I am profoundly grateful that the club was so aware not only to have the equipment, but the trained personnel to use it.

“I believe every sports club should carry out an assessment with a view to obtaining a defibrillator and train members to use it.”

The southside club had made a donation to the British Heart Foundation before receiving the equipment, and ask that their reward — in this case, Mr Bryson’s survival — encourages other clubs to invest in a defibrillator, to reduce the risk of on-pitch tragedies.