EUGENE, Ore. – A recent life-saving event in Eugene has highlighted the crucial role that automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and CPR training can play in emergencies. The incident, which occurred in January, involved a group of friends when one of them, Joan Stuart, suddenly collapsed due to a cardiac arrest. Thanks to the quick action of her friend, Kathleen Bauder, and a nearby Eugene police officer, Stuart’s life was saved.
Bauder, a trained CPR instructor, was playing bridge with her friends when she noticed something was wrong with Stuart. “We were playing bridge and all of a sudden Joan’s head went back real quiet,” Bauder recalled. “I knew something was wrong.” Acting swiftly, Bauder began performing CPR, providing crucial life-saving assistance before further help arrived.
Stuart’s chances of survival were initially estimated to be only about 10%, but thanks to Bauder’s quick intervention, along with the support of emergency responders, she made it through the critical moment. Stuart later recounted her experience, recalling waking up in the hospital after the collapse. “I woke up in the hospital and I was told that I had collapsed when I was with some friends,” she said. “They did CPR, the police came and used the paddles, then the ambulance came and took me to the hospital.”
Eugene Police Officer Shane Orsborn, who was in the area when the call came in, was the first responder to arrive on the scene. Orsborn used an AED, a device now carried by all 24/7 patrol cars in the Eugene Police Department. It was the first time he had used the equipment since the department began carrying AEDs almost two years ago. “We’re on the road, we’re around the neighborhoods where things are happening,” Officer Orsborn explained. “It’s something that we needed to have. And with the whole department trained in CPR, having AEDs gives us one more tool to save lives.”
The deployment of AEDs in police vehicles has been an integral part of the department’s strategy to improve response times and effectiveness in saving lives. In some cases, officers can respond more quickly than other first responders, making them a vital part of emergency situations like cardiac arrests.
Both Stuart and Bauder stressed the importance of CPR training and how it can make a life-or-death difference in critical situations. “Knowing CPR is so important,” Bauder emphasized. “You never know when you might need it.” To make CPR training more accessible, there are frequent classes available to the public, and online resources offer valuable information for those who want to learn or refresh their skills.
For those already trained, the PulsePoint app offers another way to get involved. The app sends alerts to users when CPR is needed in a public place near them, allowing trained individuals to assist in emergencies.
As this incident shows, having the right training, the proper equipment, and quick action can make all the difference in saving a life.
