By Kevin Nadarowski
Buffalo, NY – n rural areas the first person to typically respond to a cardiac arrest is a sheriff. Now, thanks to Univera Healthcare, the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Department has received 15 new portable automated external defibrillator units.
Univera spokesman Peter Kates says the Sheriff Department was happy to receive the units.
"They thought it was just terrific. It is something they've been looking to do. Ever municipality in government has the same budget constraints, so it was on their wish list. When we called they were very appreciative," said Kates.
The units are about the size of a child's lunch box. Voice commands can be issued to help the operator correctly administer CPR and chest compressions to a victim.
"I could grab a stranger off the street, hand them the unit and they would be able to use it the way it is suppose to be used," noted Kates.
The current survival rate nationally for sudden cardiac arrest is less than five percent.
Each unit costs around $2,500.