Fitness club sued for non-AED use in NJ EMT's death
February 17, 2009
By Jennifer Golson
The Star-Ledger
http://www.ems1.com/ems-products/aeds/articles/454388-Fitness-club-sued-for-non-AED-use-in-NJ-EMTs-death
February 17, 2009
By Jennifer Golson
The Star-Ledger
http://www.ems1.com/ems-products/aeds/articles/454388-Fitness-club-sued-for-non-AED-use-in-NJ-EMTs-death
HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Thomas Durkin wasn't just an emergency medical technician. The former president of the Kendall Park First Aid Squad was passionate about safety.
That's why his family believes the South Brunswick man knew he was within inches of a device that could have helped save him after he collapsed at the Hillsborough Pool, Racquet & Fitness Club on Jan. 8, 2007.
Durkin, 44, went into cardiac arrest while playing racquetball. As he started turning blue, someone called 911 and a staff member rushed over with an automated external defibrillator, or AED. The portable machine delivers an electric shock to the heart and helps the muscle resume its normal beat.
The staff started cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but instead of using the device, they waited nearly 7 minutes for Hillsborough police to arrive and perform defibrillation. The father of two was later pronounced dead.