Each year 250,000 Americans die from sudden cardiac arrest before they reach a hospital. Bystanders or emergency personnel can save many of these lives using CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED).
At least eight lives have already been saved by law enforcement officers or emergency medical personnel using defibrillators donated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s Mdewakanton LIFE Program. Another 40 lives have been saved by Mdewakanton Emergency Services and trained SMSC First Responders using AEDs on the reservation over the past eight years.
The SMSC has given away 640 AEDs since the program began in 2004 and facilitated the low cost purchase of an additional 20 units. The SMSC has recently announced the approval of the donation of 58 more AEDs to Minnesota organizations and departments.
Locally, the Grand Portage Band of Chippewa was the recipient of five AEDs. The devices will be mounted in their new daycare/Head Start building; the community building used for Reservation Tribal Council meetings, staff and community education sessions, and other community functions; churches; and the fitness center.
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