Things I learned - Race report PC HIM

[Wahine]

I've been trying to get more information on the swimmer. I haven't found anything out yet. I feel very badly for his family. He was in the 40's age group, was about 30 lbs on the heavy side and was swimming the leg for a relay team. Ugh! His team members must be beside themselves.

Just to clarify, I don't know that he died. I'm just suspicious that is the case.

ETA: I just found this link. The man did die and he's not the first to die at this event apparently.

[NbyNW]

Wow, what a weekend . . .

It's so impressive you finished even though you weren't feeling your best.

And sad to hear that it was someone's last day . . . I'm surprised too that they didn't have an ambulance and defibrillator on hand. Seems like a no-brainer.

[teigyr]

I've seen ambulances at lesser events so it is surprising that they weren't better prepared. I know every activity has risk but I'd like to think that an organized event would be prepared and do everything possible to save a life if it's required. Heck, I have seen EMTs/Paramedics with response units at baseball games (on the off chance someone faints or gets hit by a ball?), 5K's, and horse races.

I was particularly concerned when I read about how far the closest hospital was. I really think that calls for having something on-site, at least more than what they did.

Re the defibrillator, they even have those in the airport parking garage. Seems like standard equipment most places; why not there when there is a higher risk?

[rocknrollgirl]

Good Job Yoda...your times look pretty darn impressive from where I am sitting. Sorry you did not get the PR, but great job regardless. Why is it always the GI tract that brings us racers down!!!!

Sorry to hear about the swimmer. Very sad.

[salsabike]

Wahine, I'm glad you finished and that parts of it felt so great!

It's very distressing about the swimmer.

Re the stomach problems: I have now heard that so many times---from Laura Knapp, from Colby, from you. But I don't know enough to understand why it happens--is it that the body is just trying to send its blood supply to too many places at once, so all of a sudden your stomach just can't process whatever's being put in there?

[Wahine]

I've seen ambulances at lesser events so it is surprising that they weren't better prepared. I know every activity has risk but I'd like to think that an organized event would be prepared and do everything possible to save a life if it's required. Heck, I have seen EMTs/Paramedics with response units at baseball games (on the off chance someone faints or gets hit by a ball?), 5K's, and horse races.

I was particularly concerned when I read about how far the closest hospital was. I really think that calls for having something on-site, at least more than what they did.

Re the defibrillator, they even have those in the airport parking garage. Seems like standard equipment most places; why not there when there is a higher risk?

So here's what I "know" which is third hand for the most part and must be taken with a big grain of salt. There may have been an Ambulance outside of the park for the swim (less than 30 sec away), I didn't see it but someone else said they did. I belive there were paramedics on site, that's who did the CPR until someone pronounced him dead. An ER nurse friend of mine overheard the paramedics say he was asystolic. She said that the defibrillator will not work in that case so that could be why the ambulance was not pulled in if there was one outside of the park.

Sad.

And yes, it's a long way to the closest hospital.

[roadie gal]

Congrats on toughing it through the race. I think that time is great, even if it isn't your best.

Re the defibrillator, they even have those in the airport parking garage. Seems like standard equipment most places; why not there when there is a higher risk?

Defibrillators only work for a few rhythms: v-fib and v-tach, which are more typical of heart attacks. Most drowings are bradyasystolic arrests (meaning that the heart slows down until it stops). The defibrillator won't recommend a shock. It usually takes a few (5-6) minutes of being without oxygen for an adult to slow down completely to asystole. Once a person gets to that point, unfortunately, there isn't much hope.

I feel very sorry for that man and his family.

[Zen]

Now what bothers me is the thought of someone somehow just draped over a jet ski without any resuscitation effort taking place until they get to shore...race organizers need to reorganize on this one.