UWPD lifesaving device sees action immediately

In mid-November, the UW Police Department equipped its six marked patrol cars with automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and trained all of its personnel on how to operate them. Within two weeks, officers used one of the portable units to help save the life of a Madison man.

On Nov. 29, Officer John Lind was monitoring a Madison police radio call reporting an apparent victim of a heart attack at the corner of West Dayton and North Mills streets. Lind, who was about two blocks away, responded and found 40-year-old David Bales slumped over the front seat of a vehicle in Lot 45 at 115 N. Mills St. Bales had no pulse and was not breathing.

Officer Stew Ballweg arrived and began hooking up the defibrillator to Bales while Lind started CPR. The AED instructed the officers to administer a shock, which they did, and Bales began breathing on his own and a pulse was detected. Madison Fire Department paramedics arrived a short time later, took over treatment and moved Bales to Meriter Hospital. At last report, his condition was continuing to improve.

“It’s the opinion of all the members of our department that the investment in the AEDs has already paid for itself in full,” says Capt. Dale Burke.

The units, which cost approximately $3,000 apiece, were funded through the department’s budget.

“We feel extremely fortunate to have been able to provide this service to our community, and we look forward to the day when AEDs are so prevalent that everyone will have access to one when they need it,” Burke says.