BEND, OR -- Deschutes County officials credit the quick actions of a Corrections Deputy for saving the life of an inmate. Jail Commander Captain Shane Nelson says Deputy Kevin Carkhuff heard the woman coughing, Wednesday afternoon, and discovered she was choking. He performed the Heimlich Maneuver and dislodged a piece of food.
"We are proud of Deputy Karkhuff and his quick response. He is very attentive in his duties and acted immediately in this situation, saving her life," Capt. Nelson tells KBND.
He says the inmate was wearing a new monitoring device, currently being tested in the Medical/Mental Health Unit. He says it alarmed as the deputy responded, confirming the woman was in distress. "This is the first time it’s come into play in a medical or mental health incident in our facility."
The AliveLock RiskWatch monitors pulse rate and oxygen levels, and has been in a test phase at the Deschutes County Jail for about 2 weeks. Capt. Nelson says, "The AliveLock RiskWatch has just proven to be a valuable tool for our office. It provides a valuable extra layer of protection as a tool for monitoring of medical issues."
