Watched a man die today...

[Boris Godunov]

As is my usual Saturday custom, got to my gym at a little after noon. After getting changed, I went to the bottom level (it's 4 floors that go underground), where the stretching area and cardio machines are. I'd just finished stretching and was walking towards the cardio room when I hear a loud crash and people gasp.

When I go in the room, a man is sprawled on his back, having just fallen off a treadmill. He was about 55-60, I'd say. He was spasming a little. A few of the people were trying to revive him.

So, I dropped my water bottle, raced up the stairs to the weight area, where all the personal trainers sit, told them we had a medical emergency, and then raced back with a trainer downstairs. By this time, a gym patron who was a doctor was trying to administer CPR. I joined a crowd of about 15 people who stood around, watching rather helplessly.

The staff got a first aid kit with a mask to use with mouth-to-mouth breathing. The pool lifeguard came up and helped with the CPR, too. Someone had called 911, but it seemed to take forever for the EMTs to get there. I'd say the guy was on the floor 12-15 minutes before they showed up (which, given Manhattan traffic, probably was unavoidable).

After the EMTs tried to resucitate (sp?) him for a few minutes, they used the shock pads. But nothing worked. They put him on a stretched and wheeled him out. As they passed me, I saw his face. Blue as could be, his eyes open.

It turns out that one of the people trying to help rescucitate him was his friend, as they had come to the gym together to work out.

The worst thing was that, as they are trying to revive the guy, there are people STILL ON THE GODDAMNED CARDIO MACHINES, not even bothering to stop their workouts. When the EMTs arrived, they made everyone leave the room, and these people had the nerve to look irritated. I was disgusted.

Anyway, I've vented now...

[Apocalypse]

Many people go to the gym because they are afraid of death. How did you expect these people to react?

[Chris 62]

Never fun to watch, is it?

Seen if from a number of ways, most people just are happy it's not them.

[red_jon]

Yeah, earlier this year I was at the scene where an old man plummetted to his death down a moat to the fort on the seafront, opposite my friend's hotel.

Three ambulances and two fire engines showed up. Seemed a bit of overkill.

Was a shame though. Kudos for helping how you could, Boris

[Boris Godunov]

Apoc, I think most people go because they're afraid of being fat, actually. Looks trump health for most people, I bet.

Chris:

It was an upsetting experience, yeah. Another affirmation that, given my problems watching someone else die, actually killing someone would be almost impossible for me. Good thing I'm banned from the army...

[Provost Harrison]

I hear horror stories like this about strenuous exercise down the gym and jogging and the like, it is enough to put me off. I remember when a kid at my old school was doing cross country running and just collapsed dead after a blood vessel burst in his brain...dead in a flash.

I think exercise should be calm and enjoyable. I prefer a nice walk or a swim to flogging my guts out counting calories and bench presses. Although I have never been a big fan of sports and strenuous exercise, as my belly will testify

[Paul Hanson]

I sort of understand how you feel. When I was 7, I saw a woman get hit by a bus going at a fair pace. I'd be surprised if she survived it.

[Apocalypse]

Originally posted by Boris Godunov
Apoc, I think most people go because they're afraid of being fat, actually. Looks trump health for most people, I bet.

I never said most go because of their fear. Just many. Some of these people who go for looks might also be terrified of death.

You mentioned 15 people were standing around and some must have left the room. I don't think there are that many machines and that every one was being used at the time. Because of this, I didn't assume most people were still on the cardio machines.

[Boris Godunov]

Paul, I've witnessed a death before, actually. I worked summers at a hotel in a resort beach town in Maryland. One day a teenager did a header from a 6-story balcony of the hotel next door. He was drunk and decided to walk on the rail.

I heard screams outside, ran out of our lobby and saw the kid lying on the sidewalk. I yelled at my manager to call 911, but the staff of the other hotel had already called, I think. The kids friends made it down to the street, they were all pretty trashed, crying hysterically, etc.

So the EMTs showed up, but the kid hadn't a chance. They pretty much proclaimed him dead at the scene and carted him away.

Darwin award nominee, I'd say. But certainly not something I'll ever forget.

[Boris Godunov]

No, Apoc, only about 3-4. One, however was RIGHT NEXT to where the guy was lying. She didn't stop at all. She just looked down at what was going on occasionally.

[Provost Harrison]

That is a really, really stupid thing for that kid to do Boris *shakes head* Why?

Mind you I saw someone who had collapsed in York the other day surrounded by people, I didn't want to crowd the place so I kept going, but I presumed an ambulance was on the way. Come to think of it, Iain was there as well. God knows what was going on there...

[Bereta_Eder]

Once I saw a seriously bruised guy.

in an island on vacation there was a group of swedish (IIRC) teens in the next rooms of ours.

one night after returning home late we saw on of them on the concret pavement.

they apparently were getting drunk in their room and that guy had the unfortunate inspiration to jump off the window.... 2nd floor.

he was still conscious but in a completel mess.

i hope he lived. the helicopter came to take him to a mainland hospital.

[Boris Godunov]

PH: He was young, he was drunk, he was stupid. Ocean City is a party town now, dominated by underaged, overly stupid kids with no control. That year, actually, was a horrible one that saw 12 accidental deaths during the summer, and made people really question the nature of the town. I, for one, thought the place was well on its way to Sleazeville, and don't think it has gotten any better, from what I hear.

[Apocalypse]

Originally posted by Boris Godunov
No, Apoc, only about 3-4. One, however was RIGHT NEXT to where the guy was lying. She didn't stop at all. She just looked down at what was going on occasionally.

You really shouldn't be surprised at this though. Maybe I've just had too many bad experiences in my life. I don't expect everyone to drop what they are doing and either stand around or leave the room. Some people are just unable to acknowledge the pain and suffering of others.

[Boris Godunov]

Guess I'm still too idealistic