Beth Williams
February 3, 2001, Saturday, All Editions
Copyright 2001 Madison Newspapers, Inc.
Wisconsin State Journal
February 3, 2001, Saturday, All Editions
(DANE COUNTY, Wis.) -- All sheriff’s squad cars on patrol now have automated external defibrillators and all deputies have been trained to use the machines that can shock a victim’s heart back into its correct rhythm, Capt. Joe Norwick said.
Norwick said deputies often are the first to arrive at medical emergencies and that deputies are already comfortable using the AEDs.
“It’s another tool to help us save lives out in the community,” Norwick said. “We’ve had saves in the county with some of the municipalities that have had them.”
The sheriff’s office was able to buy 13 AEDs each costing between $2,700 and $3,000, Norwick said.
The small machines use two sensor pads to analyze a victim’s heart beat and talk someone through administering a shock of electricity to jolt the heart back into its correct rhythm. An AED also will not allow a shock to be administered if it’s not needed.
“It’s pretty self explanatory,” Norwick said. “You can’t make a mistake.”
He said deputies were trained to use the AEDs at the end of 2000 as part of their CPR training.