UPPD's defibrillators: Help a heartbeat away

Two portable packs will help U. Police respond to cardiac emergencies. It's a small orange box, no bigger than a physics book, but it could end up saving your life. The Division of Public Safety yesterday unveiled one of its two new automated external defibrillators that are now carried by University Police on patrol. The devices, known as AEDs, work in combination with manual CPR to revive accident victims whose hearts have stopped, most commonly people who suffer heart attacks. Because police are often the first to arrive at an accident scene, their ability to begin resuscitation even just a few minutes before paramedics can substantially increase the chances for victim survival. "We see this as just one more measure to ensure the safety and security of our community," University Police Chief Maureen Rush said. Sgt. John Washington, who is in charge of training the University Police force on how to use the AEDs, demonstrated the device at a small press conference yesterday. A computerized voice guides users through each step of the procedure, which involves placing two adhesive electrodes on the victim's chest. Once the sensors evaluate the victim's condition, a light indicates that it is safe for the user to administer the charge. After researching several different types of devices since June, Public Safety settled on this particular one -- manufactured by the Minneapolis-based SurVivaLink Corp. -- because of its user-friendly operation. "We tried to make this device as simple as possible, dumb it down, if you will," Washington said. Weighing just seven pounds, officials say the device is ideal for situations where ambulances may not be a viable option. Washington cited the Penn Relays and Quakers football games as two situations where the AEDs would facilitate a rescue operation. "They're easy to carry through crowds because they're not bulky," Washington said, noting that the lightweight devices can be used by officers in cars, on bicycles and even on foot. The two units were purchased for about $7,500 over the summer and have been deployed on police patrols since move-in weekend in September. Public Safety also bought a similar training device, which remains at headquarters. Rush explained that move-in weekend served as a perfect time for the defibrillators' "inauguration" because of the stress and strain that people -- mostly parents -- experience every year around that time. "The baby boomers were getting a little tired so we wanted to make sure they were taken care of," Rush said. So far, University Police have not had to actually use the defibrillators, but Washington said he can recall "a number" of situations during his 11 years at Penn when the devices would have been instrumental. Though Rush did not rule out the possibility of adding more AEDs to the University Police arsenal, she said that having one on each end of campus ensures that help is never more than a couple minutes away. "Our response time is so quick that we think two units will suffice," Rush said. Washington said 70 percent of the University Police force is certified to use the AEDs and the remainder will be trained before the end of this month. Trainees receive a two-hour course that includes hands-on practice with a dummy. Although Philadelphia Police do not use defibrillators, similar devices have found homes with the Philadelphia Fire Department and the Pennsylvania State Police. Washington noted that as defibrillators become more compact and lightweight, their use will continue to spread. "Now that the technology has caught up, I think you are going to see much more of these in police departments," Washington said.