Sept. 9 was a busy day in Mower County. Residents went out to vote in the primary election, while candidates awaited the results.

Something else happened, too, though.

A woman at the Rose Creek polling site, according to volunteers, went into cardiac arrest.

Two election judges, Rita Hanegraaf and Wayne Robertson, began CPR efforts as both were CPR trained.

After five to 10 minutes, Robertson said the victim started to breathe on her own, then her heart stopped beating once again.

Searches for an Automated External Defibrillator at city hall or on local fire vehicles at Rose Creek went unsuccessful.

According to Mayoclinic.com, an AED can help save a person’s life during cardiac arrest. It is attached to the chest, senses the heart’s rhythm during cardiac arrest and, in some cases, delivers an electric shock to get the heart beating again.

While the CPR was going on, sheriff’s deputies arrived with an AED and the heart started beating again.

The victim was then transported to medical facilities.

Hanegraaf and Robertson were recognized Wednesday by the Mower County chapter of the Red Cross, and Red Cross officials have nominated Hanegraaf for the prestigious “Certificate of Merit” honor.

Both Hanegraaf and Robertson are heroes and should be commended for their efforts Sept. 9.

Also, this is a perfect time for officials in Mower County cities and townships to find out if their offices and schools are properly equipped with AEDs. If they aren’t, officials or residents should find a way to get them.

Robertson said Rose Creek residents were already discussing the possibility of purchasing an AED, which can start at between $1,200 and $2,000.

“It’s extremely important,” he said. “We (Rose Creek) should have one that we can get to quickly. It is so important to get the heart back beating so we have a better chance to save them.”

This is more than just a routine safety issue, it’s a matter of life and death.