'I owe them my life': Cardiac arrest survivor shares the lifesaving power of Keiran's Legacy
THE lifesaving impact of CPR and defibrillators was brought home in dramatic fashion to a member of the Findhorn Coastal Rowing Club who experienced a potentially fatal cardiac arrest.
Eight weeks ago Maclean Macleod was indebted completely to a defibrillator, installed by the charity Keiran's Legacy, to stay alive.
Maclean, a keen rower, had just finished practice with the club and stepped out of a boat when he suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed on the shoreline.
Speaking at the Keiran's Legacy summer event last Saturday at Miltonduff Hall, Maclean said: "I came out of a boat on the shore at Findhorn and I suddenly saw this beautiful blue light in my head.
"I felt totally at peace with myself and the world, I had no pain and no anxiety.
"I was completely unaware of what was happening at the time but I was losing my life through a cardiac arrest."
While Maclean was unconscious, the rest of the crew from the Findhorn Coastal Rowing Club jumped into action.
Maclean had stopped breathing and team members Claire Weller and Ali McKay immediately recognised what was happening and started performing CPR.
The crew members worked on his chest for approximately 20 minutes, while other members of the team went to get the closest defibrillator and called an ambulance.
Maclean said: "The reason I'm alive today is completely dependant on two factors.
"Number one is Sandra and Gordon McKandie with the charity Keiran's legacy. Their provision of defibrillators has saved my life and allowed me to be here. They have turned a terrible tragedy into a positive chance for people to live.
"Their dedication to their son Keiran through Keiran's legacy is nothing short of amazing and I owe you my life.
"The second reason is my crew. Every single person on the crew that night was involved in helping and saving my life. Their actions were exemplary, they are a truly awesome group of friends and I will forever be indebted to them."
"If it was not for them and the defibrillator, I wouldn't be here today. I'm a very lucky man."
Maclean met with Sandra and Gordon for the first time last week, when he and Rowing Club Captain Claire Weller met them for a cup of tea.
He said the meeting was "very emotional" and added: "I was absolutely blown away by their drive and dedication to Keiran's legacy, they are a remarkable couple and make a perfect team. I'm so glad I could thank them and the crew for everything they've done for me, I wouldn't be here without them."
Sandra McKandie, chairwoman of Keiran's Legacy, which celebrated its fifth anniversary last weekend, said: "Since the charity's beginning five years ago, it has grown and grown and now we're meeting people whose lives we are saving like Maclean. That's just huge and Keiran would be so proud that he has managed to save someone's life."
The charity's defibrillators – more than 170 have been installed across Moray and the north of Scotland – have directly saved nine lives.
