When Patsy Hudkins of Velva, North Dakota, went into cardiac arrest while mid-conversation at work, her community instantly acted to save her life—calling for an ambulance and beginning CPR. Within minutes, Sheriff’s Deputy Adam McTaggart was on the scene with an automated external defibrillator (AED) that helped to save her life.
Patsy’s story represents just one of the estimated 90 lives to have been saved in North Dakota since a grant from Helmsley supported the purchase of 1,700 AEDs to equip law enforcement in the state. “A lot of times the officers are the first ones on duty. Having even that extra five minutes is huge,” Hudkins told the North Dakota Monitor.
The article highlights the opportunity for more communities to get involved in North Dakota’s program for cardiac events and strokes, emphasizing the importance of preparation, training, and the necessary equipment in the fight to save lives.
