Our View: Havre should become a cardiac safe community

People having heart problems are at a distinct disadvantage in rural areas.

When people are undergoing full cardiac arrest, they have very little time to get care. It’s difficult enough when you are in metropolitan areas and close to clinics or hospitals. It’s a whole other story if you happen to be in Goldstone, 14 miles north of Rudyard.

A new state program will help people in remote areas such as those along the Hi-Line.

Under the leadership of Havre’s Janet Trethewey, the Department of Public Health and Human Services is launching an effort to vastly increase the chances that people will promptly be treated for cardiac arrest.

The program involves use of public education and 21st century technology.

The program calls for three phases:

• People will be educated in CPR, the technique used to get the heart back in operation. In less than 30 minutes, people can learn the basics of CPR that might help save a life someday. There will be a massive effort to get more people trained. We hope businesses, service groups, schools, colleges and community volunteers work together to learn the essentials of CPR. In the Bozeman area, nearly half the adult population can provide the service if need be. It would be great to replicated that in Hill County.

• There will be a big effort to work with groups to buy automatic external defibrillators that will be kept on premises. Anyplace where the public gathers — churches, community centers, senior centers and shopping centers — is being encouraged to purchase the equipment that can assist in savings lives. AEDs cost about $1,100.

• Every emergency department in the state will have a Lucas device that helps restart hearts. The equipment will resuscitate people and send images to Northern Montana Hospital and Benefis Medical Center so medical officials can make a quick determination on what to do.

The program provides endless opportunities to extend and enrich people's lives. It will vastly enhance the health of rural residents.

We hope people do all they can to help out the project. We hope civic groups, businesses and other gathering places join in the effort.

Several community meetings will be held in coming days to get the community involved. Stop by the session in your community.

The meetings are:

• Rudyard, today, 6 p.m. at Rudyard Senior Center

• Chester, Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. at the EMS building

• Big Sandy, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 6 p.m. at the fire hall

• Havre, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 1 p.m. at Havre-Hill County Library

• Rocky Boy: Thursday, Sept. 22, 10 a.m. at the health clinic.