The Scott County Sheriff’s Office recently received a $3,500 grant from Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative (MVEC) toward the purchase of three new cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) devices. These funds were made available by MVEC’s Operation Round-Up program, wherein cooperative members are given the option to have their electric bills rounded up and, in turn, help their neighbors and communities.
The grant will cover the costs to purchase three ResQCPR Systems that that have been shown to improve post-cardiac arrest survival rates by as much as 49%. While conventional CPR increases blood flow by 30%, the ResQCPR System doubles the blood flow rate to 60%. The ResQCPR System is the only CPR device approved by the FDA to improve the likelihood of survival in adults who have experienced non-traumatic sudden cardiac arrest.
The new system provides two pieces of equipment for first responders: the ResQPUMP, where a suction cup is placed on the patient’s chest and used for more effective chest compressions, and the ResQPOD, which regulates air flow into a patient’s lungs and helps create negative space for better blood flow to the heart. When used together, the process creates a near normal blood flow.
With the addition of these three ResQCPR Systems, we now have them available in all our patrol vehicles, as well as in the Courthouse. These devices have already been utilized successfully in three different incidents in Scott County involving cardiac arrest.
“We are grateful to MVEC for giving us the opportunity to utilize the latest in resuscitation technology,” said Sheriff Luke Hennen. “Having the appropriate equipment is critical when responding to life-threatening situations.”
