Local Scout wins life-saving equipment

Posted: Tuesday, October 12, 2010 9:05 pm

Ben Rice, a Life Scout with Boy Scouts of America Troop 570 in Union City, knew precisely what to do with the two Automated External Defibrillators he won recently in a national contest organized by Boy Scouts of America and Cardiac Science.
Realizing that 365,000 people die in North America each year from sudden cardiac arrest, with 7,000 of those youthful victims, Rice decided to donate the prizes to Union City Cumberland Presbyterian Church, which sponsors his BSA troop, and to Rives Volunteer Fire Department, where he is a fire explorer. Knowledge of the difference the AEDs can make determined his action.
Defibrillation within three minutes can increase the survival opportunity by 70 percent. According to the American Heart Association, improved early defibrillation efforts could save 40,000 lives a year in this country.
Scouts from across the nation were afforded the opportunity to create short videos illustrating the importance of AEDs and documenting the need for them in their communities. Rice’s video was one of five winning efforts.
He plans to organize a Cardiac Arrest Response Team (CART) at the church, with the goal of having that group serve as the first response should a member of the congregation or anyone using the facilities fall victim to cardiac arrest.
The members of the fire department are obtaining their First Responder Certification and the donation of the AED will provide the department with a critical piece of equipment they might otherwise not be able to afford.
Rice is a freshman at Union City High School, a member of the Golden Tornado football team and band and an active member of Union City First United Methodist Church. He is completing his Eagle Project for the Boy Scouts of America.
He is the son of Campbell and Lee Ann Rice and the grandson of Richard Boring and Dick and Lyda Rice, all of Union City.
The local Scout and the other winners were recognized during the 100th anniversary of the BSA during the National Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, Va., during a Guinness Record attempt of the largest CPR/AED training earlier this year.
During a brief ceremony, Troop 570 was acknowledged before more than 300 scouts participating in the CPR/AED training, with Rice’s video playing on the large screen positioned in the main arena of the Jamboree.

Published in The Messenger 10.12.10

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