SAN TAN VALLEY, Ariz. – A 63-year-old San Tan Valley man is alive thanks to two Pinal County Sheriff’s Office deputies who responded first on scene with the right tools and training.

On 9/22/2012, at approximately 12:12 a.m., two deputies responded to a home in the 24000 block of North Mohave Lane in the Magic Ranch sub division, San Tan Valley, on a report the home owner was not breathing.

Pictured is the Cardiac Science Power Heart G3 Plus unit now in use thanks to NRA grant funding.

Once on scene the deputies located the unresponsive 63‐year‐old man and immediately began life saving measures. One of the deputies retrieved an automatic external defibrillator (AED) while the other began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

After the victim’s shirt was cut off, deputies used the AED multiple times, alternating between chest compressions as trained.

After the third shock with the AED, the victim began breathing on his own. As medical staff with the Rural Metro Fire Department arrived and begin taking over medical care, the victim again stoppedbreathing but was revived while en route to the hospital.

Thanks to quick response and utilization of the deputy’s AED and CPR, the subject was later stabilized by medical staff and thanked the deputies for saving his life.

Thanks to grant funding through the National Rifle Association and a generous donation from the Joe Gibson Memorial Foundation, (24) AEDs are currently in use by PCSO patrol and Search & Rescue deputies. In 2009, Sheriff Paul Babeu required all sworn deputies to take CPR recertification training.

“In a county as large as ours (5,369 sq. miles), its imperative deputies, who often arrive first on scene, have the same life saving skills and training as paramedics,” Sheriff Babeu said. “I’m pleased to see this equipment and training being put to good use by our sworn deputies. We are in the process of applying for additional grant funding to provide more deputies with life saving equipment to better serve our citizens and save lives.”