Wallace pupils mark the centenary of Frank Pantridge's birth

On the very centenary of the birth of Professor Francis ' Frank' Pantridge, the inventor of the mobile defibrillator, Wallace pupils were privileged to enjoy a dynamic presentation from Frank Flynn of HeartSine Technologies, a company devoted to achieving Frank Pantridge's goal of seeing mobile defibrillators regarded as an equivalent essential to a fire extinguisher.

The company is a world leader in the provision of AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) and HeartSine is also the current sponsors of the Wallace Girls’ 1st X1 hockey team.

Speaking to pupils Mr Flynn highlighted the remarkable life of Professor Pantridge, who was a holder of the Military Cross.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Flynn’s presentation traced the history of defibrillators from the first 1965 ‘portable’ model which operated from car batteries and weighed 70 kilos to the modern efficient, lightweight items which are in Wallace today.

He explained the company’s goal of “spreading the word” about the importance of first response and shared with students fascinating real life stories of individuals, both young and old, whose lives have been saved by mobile defibrillators.

Year 10 Biology students and Year 11 GCSE Journalism students had the opportunity to hear a more extended presentation and to question Mr Flynn and some of his colleagues from HeartSine about the history and development of the technology we take for granted today.

Year 11 student Holly Mackin said: “I was interested to hear of the company’s ‘2016 in 2016’ campaign. The aim is to educate 2016 people in the use of the defibrillator.”

Wallace Principal Mrs O’Hare added: “We are very proud to be associated with HeartSine and delighted that such a progressive and worthy company is acting as the sponsor for our premier girls’ team.”

Related topics: