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Powers Lake to become cardiac ready

POWERS LAKE Powers Lake is preparing to become the first in the state of North Dakota to become a “Cardiac Ready Community” as designated by the North Dakota Department of Health. Designed as a community led initiative, the goal is to prepare the entire community to be ready to aid anyone in need of assistance in the event of a heart-related emergency. Powers Lake initiative co-chairs are Kari Enget and Jake Douts. The project is sponsored and facilitated by the community of Powers Lake, the Department of Health and the American Heart Association.

Communities in other states that have done similar projects have seen their survivor rates of cardiac arrest increase dramatically. This initiative is part of the establishment of a stronger cardiac care system within the state of North Dakota through engaging communities in becoming cardiac ready.

“Community and public linkage with the emergency cardiac care system can make all the difference in a person surviving a heart-related emergency and with less heart damage,” said Dr. Jeff Sather, North Dakota State Medical Director, EMS medical director and Trinity Hospital Chief of Medicine. “I’m especially excited for Powers Lake, as I work closely with the local ambulance service as their medical director”.

According to Tom Nehring, Director of Emergency Medical Service and Trauma, this collaborative effort involves many components of the life-saving steps for emergency cardiac care. Key elements include the entire community knowing the signs and symptoms of a cardiac event, CPR, calling 9-1-1 to start the emergency care system and having available automated external defibrillators to get an effective heart rhythm started.

“Powers Lake is the perfect community for becoming a Cardiac Ready Community,” said Enget, squad leader for Powers Lake ambulance service. “We have a great ambulance squad and strong community leadership support.” Douts, ambulance squad member and CPR instructor, feels the initiative “will help everyone to feel comfortable in assisting with a cardiac emergency.”

The community group is led by Enget and Douts and the effort is facilitated by Tom Nehring, Director of the N.D Department of Health Division of Emergency Services and Trauma, Sather and June Herman, Regional Vice President with the American Heart Association.

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