AED Campaign

In the fall of 2015, the Bluffton Police Department partnered with the Arrhythmia Alliance and the Quance family to raise funds to place an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in each patrol vehicle. This partnership was the result of 8-year-old Gavin Quance being pulled unconscious from a swimming pool. Two Bluffton police officers were the first to arrive when the 911 call was made. They immediately began Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), but it wasn’t enough to save Gavin’s life. However, an automated external defibrillator or AED may have.

Statistics

Statistics show when CPR is used alone, there is a nine percent survival rate. If CPR and an AED are used together, there is a 50 - 70% survival rate. More often than not, police arrive at an accident scene minutes before Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and the Fire Department.

Fundraising Campaign Started

For this reason alone, it was important to begin an AED fundraising campaign. As a result of the community’s compassion and the Quance family, the Bluffton Police Department collected funds and received donations to buy a total of 31 AEDs to be placed in each patrol vehicle. This partnership continues today to raise more funds to purchase pediatric pads for each AED.