Kaupang recognized for his life saving efforts

Vance Kaupnag, a teacher and coach at WIn-E-Mac School, along with Brian Remick, who is a coach st Red Lake Falls High School, were recently nominated for a Life Saving Award by Polk County Sheriff Jim Tadman.

Last July, during a summer league girls basketball tournament held at Win-E-Mac School, Coach Kaupang and Coach Remick were each coaching a girls team. 

During the basketball game, a 15 year old girl collapsed to the ground. It was unknown if she suffered an acute cardiac incident.

Coach Kaupang and Coach Remick ran to her aid and observed she was turning blue.

While Coach Kaupang and Coach Remick tried to revive the young girl, they observed that she had stopped breathing and that she did not have a pulse.

The coaches then had the gymnasium cleared and requested that somebody call 911 and get the AED (automated external defibrillator). Coach Kaupang and Coach Remick then started CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

When delivered, Coach Kaupang applied the AED and had to deliver a shock, the coaches then continued with CPR until rescue and ambulance personnel arrived.

The female was life-flighted from Fosston to a Fargo hospital and later transferred to Mayo Hospital in Rochester to have an automatic implantiable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD) put into place and is doing well and expected to have a full recovery.

Because of the quick response of Coach Kaupang and Coach Remick, a family still has their daughter to hug.

Thanks to both coaches for their quick thinking, fast action and lifesaving skills. 

Both coaches received the awards.