NHP patrol cars outfitted with heart starters

Two dozen Nevada Highway Patrol cars in rural areas will be equipped with heart defibrillators thanks to a donation from the University of Nevada School of Medicine, officials announced Tuesday.

"Having been in the field, and having experienced an individual in cardiac arrest, there is no more helpless a feeling than not being able to restore a heartbeat," said NHP Chief Chris Perry.

Troopers in Fernley, Tonopah, Yerington, Fallon and Lovelock will be the first to receive the automated devices.

Operators need only attach the machine's pads to the victim and the machine will monitor the vitals and determine if the patient needs defibrillation, an electrical current sent through the heart to restore an organized rhythm.

Based on the computer readings, a computer-generated voice will tell the officer if CPR is needed, how many chest compressions to administer and when to give the patient breaths.

According to Nevada Project Heart Beat, if a victim receives defibrillation within one minute of sudden cardiac arrest, there is a 90 percent chance of resuscitation. If a victim must wait 10 minutes for defibrillation, the chance of survival drops to less than 5 percent.

Perry said the 24 defibrillators, plus two others donated by makers Cardiac Science, to be kept in the Department of Public Safety offices on Wright Way, are just the beginning of his goal to outfit the NHP's entire fleet- an additional 391 marked patrol units.

With each defibrillator costing about $1,400, said Cpl. Scott Simon, private donations will be needed to make that happen.

"We feel that as first responders in a number of incidents, especially in rural and frontier areas, that it's critical that you have this equipment for the patrolmen," said Julie Redding with the University of Nevada School of Medicine.

To donate to the goal of outfitting every patrol car in the state, call Simon at 687-1610 ext. 228 or visit Nevada Project Heartbeat at www.padprograms.com/nevada.

• Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.