Phoenix Police Officers Save Woman at Sky Harbor Airport - New Automatic External Defibrillator Used

Jan. 23, 2001

At approximately 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 23, at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, a 52-year-old woman from Philadelphia had a heart attack at Terminal 3 baggage claim. The woman was not breathing and her heart stopped. An employee and a bystander started CPR while personnel from the Phoenix Police and Fire departments and Airport Operations responded. Officer Ken Lapka and Sgt. Tom Osborne arrived and took over CPR. Officer Bob Bueno rode up on his bicycle with his automatic external defibrillator (AED) and applied the pads.

The AED advised one shock and rescue breathing was continued until Phoenix firefighters arrived. The woman was taken to Phoenix St. Luke's Hospital where she is listed in critical but stable condition in the intensive care unit. Her family is extremely grateful for the officer's and the airport's response.

The city of Phoenix recently purchased 60 automatic external defibrillators to be used at the airport in case of heart emergencies. These units arrived one month ago and were placed in Aviation and Police mobile car and bicycle units until permanent wall units are installed in February. To date, more than 200 Aviation and Phoenix Police Airport Bureau employees have received training in CPR and the use of AEDs.

Media Contact:

Suzanne Luber Pager

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