At least thirteen lives have been saved by law enforcement officers and 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 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) on the reservation over the past eight years. The SMSC has donated 673 AEDs since the program began in 2004 and facilitated the low cost purchase of an additional 20 units. The SMSC announces the approval to donate 31 more AEDs to Minnesota organizations and departments. Each year 295,000 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 AED. "Providing defibrillation on-site with an AED increases survival rates for ventricular fibrillation (VF) cardiac arrest. In places where AED programs provide immediate CPR and deliver the first shock within three minutes after collapse, reported survival rates from VF cardiac arrest are as high as 74%. Currently only about 5% of all sudden cardiac arrest victims survive in places where no AED programs have been established to provide prompt CPR and defibrillation," according to the American Heart Association AED Implementation Guide. "Saves" are defined as successfully treating ventricular fibrillation with CPR and an AED to bring back a heart rhythm for a patient who is then delivered to a hospital. The Mdewakanton Emergency Services Department administers the Mdewakanton LIFE Program which provides defibrillators to organizations including law enforcement programs, charitable groups, and schools. In 2010 the SMSC donated a total of 70 AEDs through the Mdewakanton LIFE Program. SMSC Chairman Stanley R. Crooks commented on the AEDs recently approved for donation, "While we hope that these AEDs won't ever be needed, if they are, it is our hope that they will be used to save lives. We are happy that law enforcement officers have been able to use AEDs we donated successfully." Dramatic "Saves" Three documented saves in the past few months underscore the effectiveness of this program. Cindy Kurtz, 50, of Luverne, Minnesota, is alive today thanks to two shocks to her heart by an AED provided by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and CPR started by her husband and son. After Cindy collapsed in her home on September 11, 2010, her husband and son, both trained First Responders began CPR while awaiting emergency response. Minnesota State Trooper Jeff Stearns, on duty nearby, responded to the 911 call. In his patrol car was an AED donated by the SMSC. He was soon joined by Deputy Kyle Kreun who took over CPR from family members. Officer Stearns applied first one, then a second shock from the AED as directed by the automated unit itself. After receiving the second shock Cindy had a faint heartbeat and began breathing on her own. Her doctors later were amazed at her recovery; saying only five percent of patients recover from the damage that she suffered: two fully blocked main arteries and two arteries that were 50% blocked. Nationwide, the median hospital to discharge survival rate for cardiac arrest patients is only only eight percent. This brings the number to 13 documented saves directly attributable to AEDs given out by the Mdewakanton LIFE Program. State Trooper Stearns was using an AED provided by funds from the SMSC which purchased a total of 217 AEDS over four years. The goal of the program was to equip rural State Patrol cars through collaboration with the State of Minnesota. According to Lieutenant Eric Roeske, the Minnesota State Patrol has had four additional AED saves which are attributable to the Mdewakanton LIFE Program. In Scott County, there have been eight additional saves using AEDs donated by the SMSC. Four saves have been recorded with the 28 AEDs the SMSC has donated to the Scott County Sheriff's Department over the years. In the last six months of 2010, two saves were recorded by theSavage Police Department, and two by the Prior Lake Police Department. Using the AEDs kept in their patrol cars, in each of these incidents, the officers applied a shock with the AED which was successful in resuscitating the patient. Mdewakanton Emergency Services and First Responders at the SMSC Gaming Enterprise have also used an AED to successfully resuscitate at least 40 patients on the reservation over the past eight years, the most recent in March 2010 at Little Six Casino, according to SMSC Director of Emergency Services Jim Muelken. AEDs are located in 27 locations around the reservation and its enterprises. All Gaming Enterprise Security officers receive First Responder training before they begin their first shift. "We are fortunate that we have trained First Responders in many locations who know how to handle emergency situations. That plus a quick response time here on the reservation has saved lives," said Muelken. "We saw the program working on the reservation and wanted to extend it to help others," said Chairman Crooks. Twin Cities Metropolitan Area: 22 AEDs Donated Three AEDs each were donated to the Jordan Fire Department, the Shakopee Women's Prison, Savage Police Department, and the Crystal Police Department. Two each were donated to the Upper Mississippi Mental Health Department and the New Prague Police Department. One AED was donated to each of the following: Lakefront Plaza Condominiums (Prior Lake), Carver Chapter of the American Red Cross, Prior Lake High School, Scott County Community Development Agency, the American Legion Post 45 in new Prague, and the Lutsen Ski Patrol. Tribal: 9 AEDs Donated Three AEDs were approved and donated to the Seven Clans Casino, owned and operated by the Red Lake Nation in northern Minnesota. Three went to the Crow Creek Ambulance Service in Fort Thompson, South Dakota. Two were donated to the Minneapolis American Indian Center and one for First Nations Recovery, both of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Background 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. For many 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 2009, the SMSC donated 64 AEDs to local fire and police departments, schools, and other organizations. In previous years the SMSC has donated defibrillators to local schools, tribes, fire departments, nursing homes, the Minnesota State Patrol, and other organizations. To Apply Priority is given to American Indian tribes in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Wisconsin, first responding agencies, and governmental agencies. Although the SMSC receives many worthy requests, currently, because of the large volume of need, requests from agencies serving less than 50 clients, churches outside of Scott County, and non-profit organizations outside of the five-state area are not eligible for consideration. Organizations which meet the above criteria and are in need of an AED may send a written request to the Mdewakanton LIFE Program, Mdewakanton Emergency Services, 2330 Sioux Trail NW, Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372. Inquiries may be made to 952-233-1077. A downloadable application form is also available at www.mdfire.org.