The trio grabbed Helensburgh Golf Club’s defibrillator and rushed to the aid of Julian Ferguson – who suffered a cardiac arrest in a nearby garden.

After delivering four shocks Mr Ferguson began to show signs of recovery.

An ambulance did not arrive at his home for 25 minutes – by which time it is unlikely he would have survived.

Calum Kennedy, Sam Banyard, and Colin Taylor were presented certificates at the golf club recently presented by the Mr Ferguson’s wife Jenny.

Mrs Ferguson is a trained nurse and called for help after she found her husband lying in the garden.

She told the Advertiser: “If it had not been for the three of them, it’s unlikely he would still be here.

“I’m eternally grateful to them. The whole family would like to thank them again for their help.” She said Mr Ferguson was now back in good health, having spent eight days in hospital after the cardiac arrest.

She spoke about the scare, which happened back in May when Mr Ferguson was out in the garden.

She said: “I was doing CPR, and realised I needed help and ran over to the fence, as we back onto the golf course.

“I went back to my CPR, the three guys came over the fence. He was shocked four times. He was very lucky the defibrillator was there.” Daughter Jillian, a teacher in Edinburgh, was called at work to be told of Mr Feguson’s health scare and rushed to the RAH with the rest of her family.

She added her thanks to the three men, as well as everyone else who helped save her dad’s life.

A new charity has been launched for the Helensburgh area, including Cardross and Luss, following the incident, coinciding with the presentation.

Members of Heartstart and the British Red Cross – which have been delivering first aid training in Helensburgh and Lomond for several years – have joined with other local groups to form the Helensburgh and Local District CPR/Defibrillator Association.

The association includes Keith Shipman, group leader for the Helensburgh Branch of the British Red Cross; Sheenah Nelson, Heartstart Co-ordinator Helensburgh and Garelochside Rotary; and Russell McKinnon, who has set up two previous community responder teams.

Ms Nelson spoke to the Advertiser about the event.

She said: “It went really well, the first part was to recognise the three guys. They had heard screams for help, and ran to help.

“Two of them were on the 18th green, the other was walking out of the clubhouse when they heard the screams for help. It was just yards away.

“He is doing really well now. I’d done training up at the golf club just weeks before.

“The defibrillator was so close, which is why it was so effective.” Ms Nelson added it was ‘so fortunate’ the men knew about the defibrillator at the golf club.

She added: “They didn’t mess about, they just did it. It was the first application I had put in in my capacity as Heartstart co-ordinator. It hadn’t been used before this.

“It was lovely that we could get the family there, and they could meet the three gentlemen. I think it was quite emotional. I thought it was only proper and appropriate that Mr Ferguson’s wife should present the certificates.” Heartstart is a two-hour course which is done free of charge, and Ms Nelson can also help businesses who would like a defibrillator apply.

Ms Nelson: “My biggest concern was the peninsula wasn’t covered, we have a first responder group who are doing a fantastic job. We’ve been trying to raise the awareness.” If you want to donate to the Helensburgh and Lomond District CPR/Defibrillator Association, they can be sent to: 2 Machrie Drive, Helensburgh, G84 9EJ.