By Pat Maurer
Correspondent
A family from Salt Lake City, Utah that has vacationed at a family cabin on Windover Lake for many generations, are giving back to others around the lake.
The Rob Benda family has donated an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) and even built a housing unit for it to be located lakeside that will be available to others around the lake in case of a cardiac emergency.
Windover Lake is located in Freeman Township in the northwest region of Clare County.
“The Benda family donated the AED,” contributor Anthony Ramos said, “because they have had a family member suffer from a critical cardiac event in years past and they said they feel it is important to provide our lake community with the life-saving device.
Representing the family, Rob Benda said, “A few years ago, we approached the Windover Laker Property Association about purchasing the AED. It took a few years as the cost is around $1,000.”
He continued, “We approached the association since there has been a growing need in our lake community based on age and [the] proximity to EMS (Emergency Medical Services). It takes quite a while from calling 911 to [the] arrival on [at the] scene.”
“In addition to that,” Rob said, “the Bendas have been very lucky as cardiovascular issues run rampant. We have two survivors of sudden cardiac arrest and general heart attack.”
Rob said he has been a member of the National Ski Patrol since 1993 and a member of the Brighton Professional Ski Patrol in Utah. “As a member I have seen many saves against very bad odds. This is a tool that can be deployed with little training.”
They are hoping that other lake associations in the area will follow suit and provide AEDs for emergencies.
