A Vernon County sheriff’s deputy used an automated external defibrillator (AED) was used to shock a La Crosse man back to life at Larryfest in Whitestown township Aug. 17.

According to the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office, Roger Dahl, 52, La Crosse, suffered a medical ailment and went into cardiac arrest at the musical festival at about 12:18 p.m. Trained medical personnel were performing CPR on Dahl when Deputy Larry Howell arrived on scene with his AED.  Dahl resumed breathing after a second shock by the AED. The La Farge EMS arrived and continued treatment until Dahl was flown by Med-Link Air to Gundersen Health System in La Crosse.

The sheriff’s department reports that Dahl has since been released from the hospital and is at home recuperating.

In December of 2012, the Sheriff’s Office purchased 20 AED devices to be put in county vehicles at a cost of $31,000. The sheriff’s department was awarded a grant for approximately one-third of the total cost. The remaining money to purchase the AED devices came from Vernon Memorial Healthcare, Gundersen Health System, Tri-State Ambulance Service and Chuck and Kathie Stelzner.

The AEDs are in squad cars which are on patrol throughout the county.

According to the American Heart Association, communities with comprehensive AED programs have achieved survival rates of 40 percent or higher in cases of sudden cardiac arrest. The AED helps restore a normal heart rhythm.