POLICE ASSOCIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA 29 In Novernber 2005 the Bridgewater Police Department implemented the Heart Safe Program becoming the first municipal police service in Nova Scotia to have all their marked police vehicles equipped with an Automated External Defibrillator. This program was made possible by the generous contributions of many community groups such as: Kiwanis Club - Golden"K" Masons Acadia Lodge LaHave Lodge Central Nova ATV Club Legion Bridgewater Rotary Club of Bridgewater Atlantic Rebekah, Lodge Paramedic Dave Wynn training On April 19, 2007 this program proved invaluable when a 79-year-old Bridgevvater resident suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while driving on Dufferin Street. Cst. Ward Beck became aware of the accident and he and Cst. Jennifer Russell arrived on the scene within minutes. Cst. Beck immediately recognized the female driver had no pulse and was not breathing. He removed her from the vehicle while instructing Cst. Russell to get the defibrillator from the police vehicle. As Cst. Russell prepared the device D/Cst. Trevor Mitchell arrived on scene and attached the device to the female and administered a shock to her heart. Cst. Beck provided respirations while Cst. Russell did chest compressions. Paramedics arrived and another 2 shocks were delivered to the female. The female regained a positive pulse and was breathing on her own when they arrived at the hospital. The next day she was fully alert and had suffered no adverse effects. The emergency doctor at the hospital credited the fast use of the automated defibrillator as a main contributing factor in this positive outcome. Photo courtesy of Keith Corcoran, Bridgewater Bulletin. Cst. Jennifer Russell, Mayor Carroll Publicover, Cst. Ward Beck As originally published By Jennifer Vardy, The Evening News Defibrillator Saves Life
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0NTk1OA==