Woodbury County Sheriff’s Department received 2 AED’s (Automatic External Defibrillators) from St Lukes Unity Point Sioux City.

In a Facebook Live video posted by Unity Point Health St. Lukes Hospital today showing the donation of the devices to Sheriff Dave Drew.

Many times Law Enforcement are the first responders on the scene of medical calls, especially in rural areas. With dwindling numbers in rural emergency responders law enforcement often gives initial care to patients in medical emergencies.

Nurse Alan Faith in the video says in a medical emergency where a patient is in cardiac arrest, immediate defibrillation is one of the best things you can do for them.

Sheriff Drew says all Deputies are trained on the use of the devices and CPR, he says they are short on the number of AED’s. At one time all Deputies had them in their cars but over time the devices have expired as they have aged. Drew said they may use of the new devices at the jail.

Zoll AED's like the one pictured can cost of much as $1800 and Sheriff Drew says they just don't have the budget for the devices.