r/greenville • u/Aggressive-Raise3254 • 19h ago
THIS IS WHY WE CANT HAVE NICE THINGS More AEDs needed at Spinx Run Fest/Other Races
I was a supporter at the Spinx Run Fest Half Marathon this past Saturday in downtown Greenville. Sitting on top of the dugout at the finish line I witnessed someone in cardiac arrest and medical personnel were performing chest compressions. These compressions last for OVER 5 minutes before an AED arrived. This participant was not breathing with the chest compressions alone and was desperately needing the AED meanwhile they didn’t have one readily available at the finish line. Someone died in the half marathon in February here and a change should’ve been made then to have AEDs at the finish line of any race - 5k up to marathon. There was not an ambulance on site. Another huge issue. It took over 15 minutes for EMS to arrive. Thankfully he was breathing by the time EMS came and I hope he’s recovering well now. I do not know this person but with heart related issues lately, why are AEDs not readily available at races? I thought I was about to see someone pass away in front of me and it was so traumatizing. This has not made local news or on social media, why is it being hidden and not talked about? Something needs to change. Medics should be there at every mile.