The rapid response of two Kent Police officers and their use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) helped save the life of a 52-year-old Kent man Sunday afternoon.
The officers responded to a report of a bicyclist lying in the road at about 3:09 p.m. Sunday in the 25400 block of Lake Fenwick Road, according to a Kent Police media release.
It was initially thought that the cyclist had been struck by a car, but reportedly he had collapsed while riding.
Officer Jeff Kluzak arrived within two minutes after the call and found the man unconscious. Following a quick medical assessment, the officer started CPR.
Moments later, officer Doug Westcott arrived to help. In an effort to revive the unresponsive man, an AED carried in the police car was used to deliver a shock to the man’s heart.
Paramedics then arrived and through the combined efforts of all the responders, the man was successfully revived. He was later transported to Valley Medical Center in Renton for further treatment.
This marked the first successful application of an AED by Kent Police since the units were initially deployed last month in each patrol car.
“All of us are very pleased that our officers were able to use their judgment, training, and equipment to save a life,” Kent Police Chief Steve Strachan said.
The use of AEDs by Kent Police is part of a pilot program in partnership with King County Emergency Medical Services. Defibrillator units have been installed in all Kent Police cars.
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