The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community recently approved the donation of 36 Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) to Minnesota organizations and departments through the Mdewakanton LIFE Program.
The Mdewakanton Emergency Services Department administers the Mdewakanton LIFE Program, which donates defibrillators to organizations including law enforcement programs, charitable groups and schools.
The Scott County Sheriff’s Office will receive 20 AEDs; the Prior Lake Fire Department will receive six AEDs, which will go in two rescue trucks, one duty truck and three in vehicles for the chief and assistants; the Carver, Hamburg, Cleveland and New Market fire departments will each receive two AEDs; and the Minnesota Manatees of Chanhassen and the New Market Town Hall will each receive one AED.
The Scott County Sheriff’s Department plans to put the AEDs in recently added squads, as well as in the civil and investigations units.
The Scott County Sheriff’s Office reports that in the past year, the sheriff’s office has successfully saved the lives of two individuals using an AED. The first was an incident involving a man at a golf course who went into cardiac arrest after playing a round of golf. The second incident involved a man suffered a heart attack while gardening in his yard.
“We are happy to be able to help Scott County keep area residents safe, said SMSC Chairman Stanley R. Crooks. “While we hope that the AEDs won’t be needed, in the event that they are, it is our hope that lives will be saved through the donation of these defibrillators.”
A shock from an AED is the best way to prevent permanent damage or death if delivered in the first few minutes after collapse from sudden cardiac arrest, according to the SMSC. For years the SMSC has used defibrillators on the reservation. Mdewakanton Emergency Services and Mystic Lake Casino Hotel Security officers receive training in the use of AEDs.
Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death among adults in the United States. It can also affect children and teenagers. When someone collapses from sudden cardiac arrest, damage to the brain and other vital organs begins in as little as four minutes. Often the heart does not stop completely, but goes into ventricular fibrillation, in which the heart quivers rapidly but does not pump blood. This is where an AED can help by restoring a normal heartbeat.
In May and June 2008, the SMSC donated 47 AEDs to local fire and police departments, schools and other organizations.
In previous years, the SMSC donated defibrillators to local schools, tribes, fire departments, nursing homes, the Minnesota State Patrol and other organizations. The SMSC has given away more than 400 defibrillators since 2004.
Organizations in need of an AED may send a written request to Mdewakanton LIFE Program, Mdewakanton Emergency Services, 2330 Sioux Trail, Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372. Inquiries may be made to (952) 233-1077. A downloadable form is also available at www.mdefire.org [1].