Milwaukee police sergeant reaches for AED, saves man's life

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A Milwaukee police sergeant saved the life Wednesday, March 13th of a man with no pulse, no heartbeat and no signs of life.

An automated external defibrillator, or AED is a tool that can detect cardiac arrhythmias and shock the heart back into rhythm.

"No one should ever be afraid to grab one of these and use it if they see it," MPD Sergeant Steven Chin said.

It was ready to go on Wednesday night, March 13th.

A man had been brought to the station and was laying in the parking lot when Chin got to him.

"The alarm went off that a person was having a cardiac incident outside the district. I got up, grabbed our defibrillator. I checked for a pulse. He had none. I put the defibrillator pads on to him, allowed the machine to analyze, indicated that he needed a shock, one was delivered," Chin said.

While the marching was reassessing, Chin performed CPR and mouth-to-mask compression and the man's pulse was fading before the machine said another shock was needed.

"We went through a total of three shocks as well as mouth-to-mask compression before the fire department arrived," Chin said.

The man was taken to the hospital and survived.

Patty Flowers with the American Red Cross says having AEDs available can be the difference between life and death.

"Using an AED before the crew gets there from the paramedics is absolutely essential. Why wouldn't you want that extra tool so that you can get that person better and back into the world?"  Flowers said.

Sgt. Chin says he is happy he had an AED at his disposal.

"I'm glad to know that he's doing well and I wish him the best. I hope he continues to pull through," Chin said.

AEDs are required in schools and municipal buildings in Wisconsin. Flowers says they should be anywhere that groups of people would be -- such as libraries and churches.

This is the second time that Chin has saved someone with an AED. The last time was over 20 years ago, when Chin was an EMT.