AED helps save man’s life at area fest

VERNON COUNTY, WI — An automated external defibrillator (AED) helped save a man’s life after he collapsed at Larryfest in the Town of Whitestown on Tuesday afternoon.

The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office says Roger Dahl, 52, of La Crosse, collapsed at Larryfest around 12:20 p.m.

Trained medical personnel were performing CPR on Dahl when a Vernon County Sheriff’s Deputy arrived. The deputy took the AED out of his squad car and gave it to the medical personnel, the sheriff’s office said.

Dahl was breathing after a second shock was delivered by the AED. He was flown to Gundersen Health System by Med-Link Air. He has since been released and is back home recovering, the sheriff’s office said.

In December 2012, the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office bought 20 AED units for all patrol vehicles thanks to a grant and area donors. The AEDs cost a total of $31,000. The grant went towards one-third of the cost; the remaining match came from several donors.

In a news release, Sheriff John Spears wanted to thank the sponsors of the AEDs: Vernon Memorial Healthcare, Gundersen Health Systems, Tri-State Ambulance, and Chuck & Kathie Stelzner.