Laurel Police Save Dying Pedestrian Using A Donated AED

LAUREL, Md. (WJZ) – Laurel Police officers saved a man who they found lying face down and not breathing in the middle of the road on the 500 block of 8th street.

It was the first time officers have successfully used an automatic electronic defibrillator (AED) to save a life since all city owned vehicles have been equipped with them in 2014.

AEDs read heart rhythms and deliver an electric shock in cases of cardiac arrest.

In this case, the police were called to the scene because of suspicious activity to find the man not breathing and having no signs of life.

The officers initiated CPR, but it failed to resuscitate him, and their quick thinking led to them using the AED.

Apart from equipping all city-owned vehicles with AEDs, Laurel Mayor Craig Moe said he wants them in facilities as well.

"This is a good time to urge the public to get CPR training and learn how to use an AED," Moe said. "With winter sports, snow shoveling and families gathering on the horizon, it's nice to know that if you had only seconds to save a life, you know what to do."

The city accepted a total donation of 100 AEDs in 2014, and it is currently hoping to have more.