In mid-January, Adams State University Police Officer Chasity Winchester responded to an emergency within city limits to assist Alamosa police officers. Called to action she deployed an Automated External Defibrillators (AED) to revive an unresponsive male. “We are all proud of Officer Winchester,” said Adams State Police Chief Erika Derouin.
Located in every Adams State police vehicle and in every building across campus, Chief Derouin updated the latest advancements to the AEDs in early 2024. Each AED features English and Spanish written and verbal prompts when the lid is open to walk a user though its use in case of a witnessed cardiac arrest, the AED also provides prompts to assist in CPR. The AED will only deliver a shock if one is needed. A cardiac arrest is when someone is unconscious and not breathing.
Anyone on the Adams State campus is authorized to use an AED in case of an emergency, just remember three simple steps: CALL + PUSH + SHOCK; call 911, start CPR immediately and open the lid of the AED to turn it on and deliver a shock, if needed.
Every AED cabinet, attached to the walls of Adams State buildings, is equipped with a QR code that can be scanned to learn more about the AED inside and even features a video on its use.
When updating the devices, Chief Derouin programmed every AED and synced each device to a mobile app. The QR code assists the police department in properly maintaining the AED long-term, and provides information to anyone who scans it.