In Review

Posted by Valerie Burke
Meeting began with John Flynn welcoming us.  Our own Wooj Byun who moved us with an inspirational invocation and then the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and the Rotary 4 Way Test
 
Josh Sprague and two youth representing Interact Edina announced their upcoming Skate to End Polio event on the evening of February 15th at Braemar Arena.  All are Welcome and tickets will be available today and at next week’s Rotary meeting.
 
Susan Johnson introduced our special guest, Norm Okerstrom.  Norm spoke from the heart about his son’s brush with death as a result of a Sudden Cardiac arrest.  His son was saved because of the quick thinking of the high school football staff and the availability of an AED while they were waiting for paramedics to arrive.
 
Norm then introduced our own Bob Stehlik – who also experienced a Sudden Cardiac arrest 16 years ago.  Bob told his powerful story of life after a Sudden Cardiac Arrest and again praised the quick actions of those around him who assisted in saving his life. 
 
Norm educated us about how Sudden Cardiac Arrest is a leading cause of death in the United States killing more than 360,000 individuals each year.  It is also the leading cause of death on high school campuses and the number 1 cause of death of high school athletes.  Each year more than 7,000 seemingly young, healthy kids die suddenly from Cardiac Arrest.
 
Norm then explained that the goal of these trainings is to make all communities in Minnesota a safer place to live, work, and play. 
 
The core of the program involves the following:
  • Educate and train on the emergency treatment of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) by providing CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) training to individuals and organizations in the community.
  • Encourage and assist with the acquisition of AED’s so communities have more of them readily available if needed.
  • Get AED’s in the community listed on the National AED Registry so their location is available to 911 operators.
Russ and Norm are Co-Chairs for their signature service project “Heart Safe Plymouth” and today’s CPR trainers.  The remainder of the meeting involved leading Rotarians through CPR training and safety simulation exercises. 
 
A big Rotary thank you to the Plymouth Rotary and Russ, Steve and Norm, who have now trained more than 5,612 people!