A MAN'S life was saved at the weekend when an automated external defibrillator (AED) was used for the very first time.

The Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team used the AED at a Mountain Bike event near Peebles on Saturday, May 28, when a competitor suffered cardiac arrest.

The seemingly fit and well participant suddenly became seriously unwell and was immediately attended to by an event marshal, members of Tweed Valley Bike Patrol, and other competitors who, fortunately, were medically trained.

CPR was given as soon as the cardiac arrest was identified and the Mountain Rescue Team arrived with their AED within four minutes of the man collapsing.

Basic life support procedures continued and the AED was used to provide a life saving electric shock to the casualty.

The man was then taken by air to Edinburgh's Royal Infirmary where he is said to be doing well.

TVMRT were helped by the British Heart Foundation in November 2012, to get two Automated External Defibrillators (AED) for their Land Rover Ambulances.

Saturday's incident was the first time that they have been used.

Pete Matthews, TVMRT Leader said: “I’m extremely proud of how the TVMRT Members reacted to the incident today. All members of the team train hard to deal with a number of potential scenarios and its great to see that our medical and incident management training kicked into play today."

In the event of a cardiac arrest, immediate CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and defibrillation is needed to have any chance of survival.

For every minute that passes without defibrillation, chances of survival decrease by about 10 per cent.

Research shows that giving a controlled shock within five minutes of collapse provides the best possible chance of survival.

Dr Alex McDonald, TVMRT Medical Officer said: “Todays incident shows that a combination of basic life support training and having early access to an AED makes a real difference in the short time period after a casualty suffers a Cardiac Arrest.”