A wedding is a celebration of love and commitment, marking the start of a new chapter in a couple's lives. It's one of the most significant events that a couple will experience and requires careful planning to ensure that everything goes smoothly on the big day. With so many details to consider, from the venue to the catering, it can be overwhelming even for the most organized couple. In the following paragraphs, we’ll go over four crucial steps that will help you plan your wedding, so you can enjoy the process and have the day of your dreams.

Set your budget

The first step in planning a wedding is to determine how much you can afford to spend. This is a crucial step as it will guide the rest of your planning and ensure that you stay within your financial means. You don’t want to fall in love with a venue you can’t afford or a wedding dress that’s way out of your initial budget. That’s why it's important to be realistic about your budget and prioritize what's most important to you. Is it the decoration or maybe the apparel for you and your partner? Whatever it is, make sure to prioritize and allocate the majority of your budget for the first things on your list.

To avoid forgetting a certain item, we recommend listing all the essential elements of your wedding, such as the venue, catering, and photography. It can serve as a checklist further down the road. Naturally, you can’t plan everything in advance, especially when it comes to money, so remember to include contingencies for unexpected expenses, such as bad weather or last-minute changes.

Pick a location

Choosing the perfect location for your wedding is a critical step in the planning process. There are many beautiful locations to consider, but it all depends on what you’re looking for. If you’ve always dreamed about an outdoor wedding, then you want to pick a sunny location. And what better wedding destination than the sunny State of Arizona?  The state not only boasts nice weather all year round, but it offers stunning scenery, from the Grand Canyon to the deserts, making it a unique and breathtaking setting for your big day.

Whether you're looking for a romantic beach setting, a rustic ranch, or a scenic mountain view, Arizona has it all. Research different locations, compare prices, and choose the one that best suits your needs and budget. Don't forget to consider factors such as accessibility for your guests, availability on your desired date, and the overall ambiance of the venue. The city’s capital, Phoenix, is a large and populous city where you’ll find everything you need for the big day. In case you want to shop for some presents for your bridesmaids or if you still haven’t got around to buying your wedding bands, we recommend a quick drive to Scottsdale where you’ll find many jewelry stores and professionals who’ll help you choose accessories for the wedding day.

Choose your vendors

Once you have a location in mind, it's time to start considering vendors. This includes finding a florist, photographer, caterer, and any other vendors you may need. It's important to research each vendor thoroughly, read reviews, and compare prices to find the best fit for your needs and budget. Try to book your vendors well in advance, as the best ones can get booked up quickly and have little free time left in their calendars. Consider meeting with several vendors to get a better understanding of their services and packages, and choose the ones that you feel comfortable with and that fits within your budget.

Plan Your Guest List

Finally, it’s time to plan your guest list. Make a list of everyone you would like to invite, including family, friends, and any special guests. This will help you get a better idea of how many people you need to accommodate and how much it will cost. Consider factors such as distance, accommodation, and travel costs when planning your guest list. It's also a good idea to keep an eye on your budget, as the number of guests you invite will directly impact your overall expenses. 

The bottom line

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, but by following these four steps, you can ensure that your big day is everything you’ve dreamed of. Setting your budget at the beginning and taking the time to plan every detail will help ensure a stress-free and memorable day. With careful planning and a little bit of effort, you can have the wedding of your dreams and start your new life together surrounded by happiness and love.

BOZEMAN — Nearly 1,650 donors raised $374,663 for Montana State University programs, causes and groups during MSU Giving Day, a 29-hour online crowd-fundraising event held Feb. 15-16.

MSU Giving Day, which was designed to raise support and awareness in addition to funds, shined a light on 84 projects at MSU. Organizers said they were deeply grateful to the 1,649 donors who participated in the fourth annual event.

“It was gratifying to see the increased level of participation across the board this year,” said Stephanie Pressly, vice president of communications and annual fund at the MSU Alumni Foundation. “Dozens more MSU projects and programs encouraged 26% more donors this year over last year to rally to their causes. The Bobcat community showed its blue and gold spirit once again.”

As part of Giving Day, all MSU students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and friends were invited to participate by making a gift and championing projects during the event through its website, givingday.montana.edu. There, donors could view the groups and projects seeking funds and choose a project or groups to receive their gift. The website also provided up-to-the-minute progress, descriptions of all the projects in need of support, social media tracking, acknowledgment of donors, and announcements of challenges and gift matches. Special challenges and gift matching opportunities were announced throughout the 29 hours to allow donors to magnify the impact of their gifts.

In the first hour, more than 200 donors participated and gave $27,585.

“We were blown away by the number of donors who participated this year and helped so many MSU students,” said Samantha Patton, associate director of the annual fund at the MSU Alumni Foundation. “Although this is only the fourth annual MSU Giving Day, every year we are humbled that friends of Montana State choose to give and understand the importance of investing in future leaders and involved citizens.”

One group that sought funds through Giving Day, the MSU Alpine Ski Club, set a goal of $1,500 to aid with travel, lodging and meal expenses for the team to attend the Western Regionals race outside of Boise, Idaho. The group raised more than twice the amount it aimed for, finishing with $4,165. Rebecca Johnston, safety officer for the Alpine Ski Club, said the team was floored with the support they received in their first year with MSU Giving Day.

"It’s super rewarding because my freshman year, the club was barely anything and we were kind of struggling,” said Johnston, a senior majoring in marketing. “We didn't really have an adviser; there were seven kids my freshman year. Now we've grown to 20 active athletes, we have a full board of president, vice president, secretary and more. It's been really cool to be part of the change for the club and rewarding to see us raise so much funding.”

The team plans to reinvest its extra funds back into the program to cover travel costs next year, potential training opportunities and to lower dues for athletes.

Jabs First-year Experiences participated in MSU Giving Day for the first time this year. Housed in the Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship, the program focuses on the critical first year of the college experience by inspiring and supporting new students to understand the value of their business degrees. The group raised more than $2,866, which will support formal and informal programs to engage business students.

“We are just grateful for the generous donors,” said Brenda Truman, the college’s assistant dean for student services and retention. “The money that we're raising through MSU Giving Day this year will help us provide a whole year's worth of critical engagement opportunities for those first-year students, which is so exciting.”

Truman added that, among other efforts, the program plans to place welcome tents on the first day of school to distribute snacks and help new students find their first classes; hold dinners with professors in the dining halls; and host the Jabs First Year Expo, which allows students to explore engagement opportunities like internships, study abroad experiences, student clubs, support resources and more.

“It's really validating that donors are reading about our project, seeing value in it and wanting to contribute to help the next generation of college students,” Truman said. "We're excited to start planning for the future. What are we going to do next year? How can these funds help us build on what we started and grow and expand and make it better for our students?”

The Inclusive Community Camp, or ICC, looks to MSU Giving Day to help fund it each year. ICC is a summer day camp that has been carefully designed for children both with and without disabilities. Middle school students spend part of the week working with MSU education students to develop leadership and mentoring skills and then another part of the week serving as junior camp guides to elementary school-aged children.

This year the program raised $2,900. According to Jamie O’Callaghan, co-director of the camp and a staff member in the Department of Education in MSU’s College of Education, Health and Human Development, donations will allow the camp to offer scholarships to families in need, as well as go toward operating expenses, materials for the attendees and support resources necessary to offer a camp for children that have diverse support needs.

“It feels wonderful to know that the work that we're doing is acknowledged by people spending their hard-earned money to support us. It’s incredibly fulfilling,” O’Callaghan said. “We're really thrilled to be able to participate in MSU Giving Day, and the support we've received means the world to us.”

More than 125 donors gave $14,436 to the Bounty of the Bridgers, MSU’s campus food pantry.

"It's always exciting to see high numbers in total donations, but also to see that it's coming from such a big group always makes us feel good that the community is really supporting this program,” said Margaret Davies, basic needs program manager with the Bounty of the Bridgers. “Seeing this success really means we'll be set up well to meet the needs that we've been seeing from students.”

Bounty of the Bridgers is a program that impacts student retention, helping keep them in school, Davies added, because if students are struggling to eat then it's hard to stay focused on their studies.

“The pantry tries to meet that need, and having such success on Giving Day means that we'll be able to continue to support students and get them to graduation," Davies said. 

To view full results from MSU Giving Day, visit givingday.montana.edu.

Some New Year’s resolutions have clear steps. If your goal is to complete a course at school, you can sign up, attend classes, and study. If you aspire to become physically stronger, you can start lifting weights. But if you’re someone looking to debut an improved smile, it can be hard to know where to start. Don’t worry — that’s where we come in. In this piece, we’ll give you 5 easy ways you can improve your smile this year. With a road map to a better smile, you can confidently take your first step towards the new you. 

Clear aligner treatment 

Everyone’s smile is different, so everyone’s steps to improving their smile will also be different. That said, many people aspire to have an aligned smile. Straightening your smile used to be a major undertaking — a task that wasn’t likely to be completed in under a year. Thankfully, the industry has evolved to make clear aligner treatment more affordable, convenient and manageable. How? At-home clear aligners. These treatments eliminate the need for in-person appointments and can therefore be completed from the comfort of your home. Which saves you from time-consuming appointments that turn your schedule upside down.

At-home clear aligners work best for people with mild to moderate conditions. Since these products treat slightly simpler cases than traditional options, they usually take less time to complete. These options can deliver results in an average of six months, so you’re likely to debut your new smile before the year ends. 

Consider a night guard

Bruxism is a condition where you clench or grind your teeth, often without realizing it. Night guards are clear, retainer-like trays worn overnight to prevent grinding and clenching. The trays act as a barrier between your dental arches to minimize the damage of bruxism. Not everyone needs a night guard, but if you think you might be a candidate be sure to inquire with your dentist at your next cleaning. Your dentist can’t exactly witness you sleep, so instead, they’ll examine your teeth to see if there is evidence of clenching or grinding. You can purchase a night guard through your dentist, or through reputable online retailers. If you do experience bruxism, this can help reduce damage from grinding and clenching in the long run. 

Wear a retainer

If you complete orthodontic treatments like at-home clear aligners, the best way to keep your freshly aligned smile intact is by wearing aftercare retainers. This is a crucial step because without a retainer your teeth will gradually move out of alignment. Your provider will give you specific wear guidelines, but generally, you’ll be asked to wear your retainers full-time for several weeks or months, then overnight indefinitely. People often get lax with their retainer wear for one reason or another, but it’s important you keep this habit going. Teeth can shift back even years after treatment is completed. 

Whitening treatments 

Not everyone is interested in taking on a commitment like orthodontic treatment. Thankfully, there are numerous other ways to improve your smile. Whitening treatments are a quick and easy way to give yourself a smile makeover.

Whitening treatments run the gamut. There are in-person treatments that you can get from your dentist and at-home kits you can do on your own. The main difference between these methods is that home kits use a lower concentration of peroxide. Another huge difference is that at-home kits can be highly affordable, making these treatments accessible to more people.

There’s a whitening option out there for practically every set of priorities. Beyond just the basic consumer preferences of affordability and convenience, teeth whitening kits are also available for more niche concerns like tooth sensitivity or environmental consciousness. Whatever your particular set of needs or values, there’s a whitening kit out there for you. 

Maintain excellent oral hygiene 

Look, we get it — maintaining your oral hygiene, including regular teeth cleaning, may not be the flashiest tip on this list. But your oral hygiene is the crucial foundation that makes all these other options possible. Without healthy teeth and gums, it’s risky to undergo treatments like orthodontia or whitening.

So be sure to stay on top of your oral hygiene. What do we mean by that? Brush your teeth twice each day and floss daily. And don’t forget to attend your twice yearly dental cleanings. Some people delay their dental cleanings because of price. Thankfully, there are ways to make this expense more approachable. Research dental colleges in your area, since these schools often offer significant savings on their services. There you can get your cleaning done safely and professionally, without the added expense that comes with attending an established dental practice.

Conclusion

There are seemingly endless ways to improve your smile, but by exploring these five paths to smile improvement, you may be able to set yourself up for a great year of smiling. 

Intermountain Health, formerly known as SCL Health in Montana, has established a new partnership with Montana State University Athletics, making Intermountain Health an official health partner of the Bobcats. This partnership includes a comprehensive sponsorship of Bobcat Athletics which will help increase awareness about Intermountain’s dedication to helping Bozemanites and beyond live the healthiest lives possible. Elements include game sponsorships, signage, broadcast, and digital.

We have a long history of collaboration and partnership with MSU College of Nursing and we are excited to now be an official health partner of Montana State University Athletics. Both organizations are committed to and passionate about improving the health of the communities we serve; our goal through this partnership is to help MSU and the greater Gallatin Valley create a healthier community.

Jen Alderfer, president of St. Vincent Healthcare and Intermountain’s Montana and Wyoming region

Montana State Athletics and Intermountain share a clear and common purpose in supporting our communities, including overall well-being for individuals, families, and communities. 
We are excited to have Intermountain in Bozeman and look forward to working with their team as our newest sponsorship partner.

Roger Wexelberg, General Manager of Bobcat Sports Properties

Committed to creating healthier communities throughout the region, Intermountain currently provides primary care services to the Bozeman community through the SCL Health Medical Group – Bozeman clinic conveniently located on Main Street, along with specialty services such as heart care, neurology, and in partnership with Ortho Montana, orthopedics for both adults and children. 

 
Intermountain will be the associate sponsor of the upcoming Cat/Griz showdown at MSU’s Brick Breeden Fieldhouse as both the Women’s and Men’s basketball teams take on the University of Montana on Saturday, February 18, 2023. Caregivers from the Bozeman primary care clinic will be in attendance to celebrate the new partnership – be sure to check out their booth! For more information about the Bozeman clinic please visit sclhealth.org/bozeman. 

BOZEMAN – Montana State University has set a new spring enrollment record with 15,717 students attending classes this term, as well as seeing the highest fall-to-spring student retention in a decade. 

The spring headcount, which is tallied after the 15th day of classes each semester, showed that MSU enrolled 1,954 graduate students and 13,763 undergraduates, including 1,141 students in Gallatin College MSU, which houses the university’s one- and two-year programs. Gallatin College MSU’s enrollment showed a 15% increase over last spring semester. 

“For years, we have been working hard not only to attract students to MSU but also to have them persist in their studies so that they can graduate on time,” said MSU President Waded Cruzado. “The spring enrollment numbers speak of the hard work that students, faculty and staff have invested in our efforts. Commendations are in order, as a student-centric culture of academic excellence and collaboration is evident at MSU.” 

In terms of keeping students in school, the university reported that 90.1% of first-year students remained enrolled from fall to spring, a measure known as fall-to-spring retention. This is a 2% increase over the prior spring and the highest rate recorded in the past 10 years. 

“Our goal is to have every student who comes to Montana State leave with a degree,” said Chris Kearns, vice president for student success. “MSU offers broad support to help students stay in school and keep on track to graduate.” 

One of the university’s most recent supports for students is the new navMSU app, a central platform where students can locate campus resources, call up their class schedules, make appointments with academic advisers and even contact classmates to set up study sessions – all through a student’s mobile phone. 

Another important support program is the recently opened Off-Campus Student Life Office in the Strand Union Building, a one-stop shop where students can find help with the transition to living off campus. The office provides information about what to know before signing a lease, help finding roommates and referrals for basic legal services, nutrition and mental health support, childcare and more. 

“Helping students secure their basic needs allows them to focus on their studies and on earning their degrees,” Kearns said. 

The university also saw a 2% increase in full-time equivalent enrollment, FTE, which tallied 13,858. That FTE number represents the total number of credits taken by all MSU students divided by 15, which is considered a full credit load. 

“The university encourages students to take 15 credits, or more, per semester. A strong FTE number is a sign that more students are heeding that advice. Doing so helps them stay on track and graduate in four years,” said Bob Mokwa, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost.

Mokwa pointed to MSU’s Freshman 15 program as one of reasons for increased FTEs. The Freshman 15 is a marketing program that urges students to take at least 15 credits per semester to save money and graduate more quickly. Credits beyond the first 12 per semester do not cost additional tuition, so taking more courses per semester not only helps students graduate on time but can save them thousands of dollars in tuition over their years at MSU. 

Other statistics from MSU’s spring enrollment: 

• MSU enrolls the largest number of Montana residents of any college or university in the state, public or private. Montana residents numbered 7,991 in the spring headcount. 
• MSU recorded 546 dual enrollment students, an increase of 18% over last spring. Dual enrollment offers Montana high school students the opportunity to earn high school and college credit at the same time through approved classes. 
• Gallatin College MSU led the university in enrollment growth, increasing 15% over the prior spring. The Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship and the College of Arts and Architecture also saw spring-to-spring enrollment growth of 7% and 5%, respectively. 

On January 26, 2023, the Gallatin County 911 Dispatch Center received a non-emergency call of gunshots inside a residence during an altercation. Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the residence southwest of Belgrade. Responding deputies made contact with three occupants who were able to quickly confirm this was a false report.

It is another occurrence of a growing public safety concern commonly known as “swatting” where an anonymous caller falsely reports active killing or imminent killing of innocent civilians.  This call prompts law enforcement to respond in anticipation of encountering an act of active violence creating tense, confusing and dangerous situations with unwitting citizens and law enforcement.

On this occurrence, after determining no altercation had occurred and through subsequent investigation, the male caller was identified as Ray Saldana Flores of Helena, Montana.  As the events Mr. Flores had described were consistent with felonious acts in the State of Montana, deputies obtained an arrest warrant for Mr. Flores for False Reports to Peace Officers (Felony).

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office in coordination with the Helena Police Department located Mr. Flores who was taken into custody on January 27, 2023. Mr. Flores’ phone was seized with the application of a Search Warrant where the cellular phone application was identified which was used to make the phone calls and texts using out of service phone numbers on the phone. Deputies were able to track Mr. Flores’ location during internet searches and activity placing him in Helena just before the non-emergency call was made.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer would like to make it clear, False Reports to Peace Officers (Swatting Calls) put the general public at risk. Individuals who make false reports in Gallatin County will be arrested in accordance with their reports. Sheriff Springer would like to thank the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office for their cooperation in obtaining necessary warrants and the Helena Police Department for arresting the offender.

If you have information regarding swatting calls, please call 406-582-2100.  If successfully prosecuted, you may be eligible for a crime stoppers reward.

BOZEMAN – Montana State University’s Off-Campus Student Life program has a new physical address where students may seek advice and referrals to help them make a successful transition into living as good neighbors in the Bozeman community.

The new office is located in Room 286 of the Strand Union Building, just north of the cafeteria area on the main floor. It officially opened Tuesday morning after a brief ceremony at which Marianne Brough, director of MSU’s Office of Student Engagement, called the office a “one-stop shop,” where students can find help meeting their basic needs so they can concentrate on academics and finish their degrees.

The office will be staffed weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and serve as a hub for students who are looking for roommates and places to rent; referrals to various resources providing nutritional and mental health support, legal services, child care and basic transportation; and information about what to look for when choosing a place to live and what to know before signing a lease.

Students identified the need for an off-campus life office about three years ago, with initial planning led by former student body president Norris Blossom and other student leaders, said Lucas Oelkers, current president of the Associated Students of Montana State University, or ASMSU. In response, the Off-Campus Student Life program launched last year with a website and advising available by appointment. It proved so popular that ASMSU sponsored an initiative to house the program in a physical office.

“This is a monumental occasion at the university,” Oelkers told assembled students, faculty and staff Tuesday, shortly before a ribbon cutting.

Chris Kearns, MSU’s vice president of student success, said campus administrators welcomed the opportunity to expand the pilot program by creating office space in the student union building.

“We identified how helpful it would be to coordinate resources around campus and provide some additional resources,” Kearns said.

MSU’s Dean of Students Matt Caires agreed. “This is probably one of the most important things I’ve seen us do in years,” he said. “During their sophomore year, most of our students move off campus. When a 19-year-old steps into an apartment setting to deal with roommates and neighbors, those are adult responsibilities. And in large part, these young people struggle with that.”

For example, staff can direct students to services like tutoring, mental health support or the campus food pantry, Bounty of the Bridgers.

“We want this to be a service to help ensure that every Bobcat on campus is secure in their basic needs and connected to meet those basic needs so that they can put the majority of their energy and attention on their coursework,” Kearns said.

Oelkers said the manifestation of the Off-Campus Life office is one more example of an ASMSU initiative designed to help students achieve their educational goals. He cited the recent award of a $1.5 million U.S. Department of Education grant to MSU’s Child Care Access Means Parents in School as another.

“ASMSU is always here to support students,” he said.

On February 14, 2023, at 6:37 am, Gallatin County dispatch received a call for a stranded ice climber in Hyalite Canyon near the Chisholm Campground. The climber was dressed for cold weather and had means of communication but needed help getting out due to a disabled vehicle and heavy snowfall.  

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers from the Valley Section responded to the Lower Hyalite Trailhead and deployed two teams.  One team deployed on snowmobiles while the other deployed on a tracked side by side.  

The teams located the climber as well as a second stranded individual that needed help. Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers performed medical assessments and transported both parties out of Hyalite Canyon.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to commend the stranded recreationalists for being dressed for the weather and having communication devices.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

HELENA – Owners of motorboats, sailboats or personal watercraft need to get new, free 2023-2026 validation decals for their watercraft soon. The current red decals expire Feb. 28.

Boaters who have permanently registered their boats, sailboats, or PWC must still obtain two free boat validation decals every three years at FWP regional and area offices, or by going to the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov/activities/boating.

Owners who order validation decals on the FWP website will receive the decals in the mail. Information included on a current boat registration receipt issued by the county treasurer is needed to obtain the decals in person or on FWP's website.

For new boat or personal watercraft owners, the county treasurer's office will provide the first set of validation decals when the watercraft is registered. Boat owners will obtain subsequent sets of validation decals at a FWP regional or area office, or online.

For more information, visit FWP's website or call 406-444-2535.

The PulsePoint Respond mobile phone application will increase community awareness of medical emergencies and alert and direct CPR-trained individuals nearby to cardiac arrest victims. 

Gallatin County 911 and the fire departments within Gallatin County announced the launch of PulsePoint today, a mobile phone application designed to support public safety agencies by increasing cardiac arrest survival rates through improved bystander performance and active resident support.

“This is a great opportunity to involve the community in the life-saving efforts that occur every day,” stated Gallatin County 911 Director, Tim Martindale.

Gallatin County’s 911 dispatch center has formally integrated the use of the PulsePoint application with the 911 computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system. When a 911 dispatcher receives and identifies a call related to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), the information on the CAD system will automatically trigger a PulsePoint application push notification.

“Time is one of the most critical factors when someone experiences sudden cardiac arrest,” said Bozeman Fire Chief Josh Waldo. “Having the PulsePoint mobile app to alert nearby CPR-trained citizens strengthens our entire response system and increases the likelihood of someone surviving the cardiac arrest.”

Greg Megaard, Big Sky Fire Chief, also noted the importance of the right person at the right time, adding, “During a cardiac event, time and training is essential to making a difference in the outcome.”

Anyone with the app who is located within a 0.25-mile radius of the incident can receive a push notification to the location of the closest publicly accessible automated external defibrillator (AED) to render aid.

“The emergency medical systems with the highest save rates in the world all start with the same thing – early CPR from bystanders who help when they see someone in need,” Greg Tryon, Fire Chief at Central Valley Fire District, stated.

The PulsePoint app is available for download on Google Play and the iPhone App Store.

About the PulsePoint Foundation
PulsePoint is a public 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation that builds applications for use by public safety agencies to increase community awareness during critical events. The PulsePoint Respond mobile app notifies trained individuals of the nearby need for CPR and the PulsePoint AED registry identifies AED (automated external defibrillator) locations for use by the public and 911 telecommunicators during emergency call taking. PulsePoint also provides specialized mobile apps for professional responders. Learn more at pulsepoint.org or join the conversation at Facebook and Twitter. The free app is available for download on the App Store and Google Play.

About Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Although a heart attack can lead to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), the two are not the same. SCA is when the heart malfunctions and suddenly stops beating unexpectedly, whereas a heart attack is when blood flow to the heart is blocked, but the heart continues to beat. Each year, more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur, making it the leading cause of death in the United States. Survival rates nationally for SCA are less than eight percent, but delivery of CPR can sustain life until paramedics arrive by maintaining vital blood flow to the heart and brain. However, only about a third of SCA victims receive bystander CPR. Without CPR, brain damage or death can occur in minutes. The average EMS response time is nine minutes, even in urban settings; after 10 minutes there is little chance of successful resuscitation. The American Heart Association estimates that effective bystander CPR, provided immediately after SCA, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival.