Monday, November 28, 2011

LESSON LEARN: Runner dies after collapsing during marathon

Comments

a few points to consider 1. how is it that the runners who voluntarily provided EFR to Lim were able to resuscitate him a few times but in the short ambulance ride with supposedly trained EMS personnel he was DOA? It looks like our ambulance services are less well trained than the man on the street! 2. lack of co-ordination on EMS only points to one thing - that the organiser knows nothing about medical emergencies and cut corners by not consulting or PAYING for professional advisors / planners or did not allocate enough resources to EMS. Either that or the emergency planner is not up to standard and the organiser either didn't know or didn't care. A more likely scenario would be that the planner/advisor submitted his/her recommendations but the organiser did not provide adequate personnel / vehicles / communications as advised due to "budget constraints". Whether it is negligence on the organiser's part or the planner / advisor part that is a question we'd like to know.

Submitted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 6th, 2010.
Suggest all marathon organisers in the future make sure runners sign a mandatory waiver for any liabilities caused. Participate at your own risk. This way the lines of responsibilities are clearly defined.

Submitted by Boss Coffee on Monday, July 5th, 2010.
The word resurrect is wrongly used in the article as it implies people are attempting the impossible i.e. bringing the dead back to live through whatever means they plan on using. Try using the word "resuscitate" instead. All in all, my deepest condolences to the Lim family.

Submitted by Anonymous on Friday, July 2nd, 2010.
come on la organizer..there's a lot of witness there when it happened. Don't lie laa.. arrived in 5 minutes?? The ambulance arrived close to 30 minutes okeyyy? duhh!

Submitted by Lia Ahmad on Friday, July 2nd, 2010.
First and foremost, my condolences to the Lim's family. I have to agree with all comments that the organizer needs to IMPROVE in all aspects of the marathon but we as an individual who signed the fine lettering of the TERMS & CONDITIONS, we must know how to take care of ourselves. Have a proper training before an event. Future runners....Listen to your body! Listen to your body !! listen to your body !!! Our body is an excellent machine. If it gives you a signal to rest or stop or continue, just listen to it. If you are not professional african or nigerian runners who run for the top spot or run for the dollars, just listen to our body.

Submitted by What's Up on Wednesday, June 30th, 2010.
How about if everybody go and boycott the run or whatever event that these ppl organise. Probably only then wud these ppl learn the lesson and think hard about how to go about properly organising an event before even thinking of organising one.

Submitted by eiyyy on Wednesday, June 30th, 2010.
There is an enormous growth in adventure sports, triathlons & marathons in our country. I have participated as a medical volunteer for these sports a few times. In fact what we saw in SCKLM 2010 was one of the best effort but it was still not good enough. My summary is as below: Organiser - Need to invest a lot in medical care and at times tend to regret only when an incident occurs. There are some financial involvement to get all these doctors & equipments. Even if a doctor volunteers he is there with the skills but what about the need for life saving or first aid equipments. - Need to get the right doctor. Not all doctors can handle these well. Emergency medicine, Traumatologist & Sports medicine doctors are the best that we can find in Malaysia. Get them. - route planning needs to include emergency routes too for evacuation. What are the means of evacs? - few agencies are recruited (eg, St Johns, Red Crescent), are they coordinated? - communication equiptments must be provided. Emergency call numbers must be a few & everybody should know it. - Call center or control center is a must to coordinate medical emergencies. - medics are not well taken care off to some extend it seems we are not as important as the race itself so many a good medics do not volunteer anymore. Other volunteers or support people - should know who to call and what to do in an emergency. (DBKL stood there because they only know how to communicate but no assurance were given) - should at least know first aid & if possible basic CPR. General public - should know basic First Aid & if possible CPR. - should know that when you call a call center (hospital or other emergency centers) you have to be calm (if not no one can understand you and there will be wasted time, effort & unnecessary stress), give all details asked (they don't ask for fun either. There are reasons for which is too lengthy for explanation so don't get mad just because you are not knowledgeable). - should know your own body. Train in the competing environment. Sudden deaths has been documented in many sports field and it is commonly attributed to cardiac (heart) problems & electrolyte imbalances. - should know. My condolences to the Lim family. By this tragic event I hope that many other lives will be spared in the future as we learn from our own shortcomings.

Submitted by medic on Wednesday, June 30th, 2010.
Dengan rasa penuh kesedihan "Salam Takziah"dari kami sekeluarga... Dalam keadaan begini,semua akan menuding jari..Saya tidak menafikan,terdapat kesilapan dari semua pihak... Disini,saya hanya mahu komen berkenaan dengan perkhidmatan ambulans kerajaan,komuniti,separa swasta dan swasta. saya berpendapat bahawa ambulans kerajaan ataupun servis komuniti tidak diperlukan semasa program2 besar.Dimana,sekiranya berlaku "kecemasan"pihak tersebut perlu memberikan servis tersebut kepada yang memerlukan.Mungkin disebabkan budget yang kecil & kos yang murah? Terdapat ambulans swasta dinegara kita ini,sekiranya apa2 program dan aktiviti2 yang dijalankan,maka kenapa ambulans swasta tidak diperlukan? Dan apabila penggunaan ambulans di luar kawasan,kelewatan berlaku.sapa yang dipersalahkan?ambulans digunakan untuk kerja luar kawasan,walhal terdapat kemudahan ambulans yang mencukupi. Didalam permasalahan kekurangan alatan,sepatutnya pihak berkenaan perlu menetapkan spesifikasi mengikut aktiviti yang dijalankan pada setiap ambulans. Dari segi pengetahuan,kaedah rawatan adalah sangat penting pada setiap individu."First Aid"& Basic Life support(CPR,Chocking & airway management).Kakitangan ambulans bukan hanya perlu gah dengan "seragam" tetapi skill dan pengetahuan penting.Kebanyakan "Scoop & Run".Kita tonton "ER" kaedah rawat ditempat kejadian adalah penting berbekalkan "Ilmu & Alatan yang mencukupi ". Saya pernah melihat sebuah ambulans "Global Doctors" di Hospital Putrajaya ketika menghantar isteri mendapatkan rawatan di hospital tersebut,ambulans tersebut mengambil 2 pesakit kemalangan jalanraya untuk dipindahkan ke hospital swasta,terdapat 2 org kakitangan dan saya sempat bertanya beberapa soalan dan bersembang dengan beliau yang peramah,alangkah terkejut bahawa pemandu tersebut adalah paramedik!!!.dan salah seorang daripadanya adalah seorang doktor dan ambulans tersebut jarang sekali sama saya lihat di Malaysia.Ambulans seperti didalam bilik pembedahan serta berkualiti tinggi.Terdapat Strectcher kedua yang mudah alih.Saya amatlah tertarik dengan ciri2 keselamatan kepada pesakit,dimana kakitangan tersebut memasangkan tali pinggang keledar kepada kedua-dua pesakit yang mengalami kecederaan parah dan juga ahli keluarga.Apa yang boleh anda komen tentang servis tersebut? Kualiti vs Harga? Memang tidak dinafikan,ambulans swasta memerlukan 'Budget: tetapi ,nyawa tidak boleh dijual beli. Kepada pengusaha ambulans swasta,kadar bayaran yang berpatutan serta servis yang berkualiti adalah penting. Semasa KL MARATHON berlansung,ketika menuju ke cheras,saya lihat terdapat kakitangan St.John di sepanjang jalan.Dan amatlah saya terkejut apabila membaca surat khabar bahawa kematian mendiang LIM.Apa yang berlaku?Dengan hanya kesilapan yang tidak patut,maka nyawa melayang... Kejadian ini akan membuka mata setiap pihak,dan saya harap perkara ini tidak akan berlaku lagi... "Bayangkan mendiang itu adalah keluarga terdekat anda,apa perasaan anda"....fikir-fikirlah...

Submitted by cikgu^sekolah on Wednesday, June 30th, 2010.
Condolences to the grieved family. However, not to generalised all ambulances as incapable or are ill equipped. I have utilised their services in the past few years and find that they are confident in carrying out their duties. I must say that the private ones are not cheap. They do provide invaluable services but maybe this is one infortunate incident. Of course, it is easier to blame and point fingers when things doesn't go right and tempers flare. The wisest choice is - do not participate if you are not up to it.

Submitted by Anonymous-1 on Tuesday, June 29th, 2010.
i tried calling for an ambulance once... the morons manning the call center do not seem to understand that one calls for an ambulance because it is an emergency & we need the ambulance to come ASAP. instead, what do they do, they ask a billion useless questions like... why do you need an ambulance, who needs it, male or female, malay or non malay (i fail to understand why they must ask this question), how old, what kind of illness does the person have, what specific medication is the person taking, has he had this illness before... & best of all, when you think you've drilled it into the first moron's head that this is an emergency & u want them to send the ambulance NOW, they say wait, & pass the lline on to another equally-dense person who ASKS YOU THE ENTIRE SET OF QUESTIONS ALL OVER AGAIN. i just don't know why they can't understand that people don't call an ambulance for the heck of it, they only call it if it's really an emergency. & why can't they just send the ambulance along without asking so many questions if the ambulance is going to be an empty van anyway?? then to top it all off, one hour later, the call center will call you back & ask if the ambulance arrived... duhhh...

Submitted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 29th, 2010.
The organisers should be sued for negligence. Period. Ill-equiped ambulance in malaysia is common. Ambulance for Rakyak's public hospital is low priority as far as the 'leaders' are concerned. These so-called 'leaders' have access to 1st class private ambulance, helicopters, planes and overseas treatment, at the rakyak's expense to boot!!

Submitted by hurricanemax on Tuesday, June 29th, 2010.
I blame the approving bodies of not being stringent in allowing such events to go on without proper medical back-up being ensured. The oragnisers may be careless but the approving bodies must share the blame. No proper medical backup, no permit to organise such events. it is as simple as it gets. I hope the Lim family sue the organisers 'cao-cao'.

Submitted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 29th, 2010.
i know how difficult it is to accept the situation whether a family member or a sports enthusiast. may we offer our prayers instead. all of us trust for changes to happen and for people responsible to face the consequences of their failure/s.

Submitted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 29th, 2010.
I was a runner in the 10km marathon. This event was so badly organized and it is a contributory factor to the young man's life. First, there was no water before the start of the run. Yes, it's my fault not to bring my bottle but every run I went, there was water provided before the run so I wrongly assumed they have too. I looked around for the water station only to be told that they cant give any to me coz they have limited water stock. I had to run 4km into the race before I have my first drop of water!!! Secondly, there were no distance markers except for the first 5kms. Thirdly, no medics is sighted, especially towards the end of the race!! All the crap explanation provided today was not what it was there. Every other run I went, there were at least medics within decent distances. And towards the end of the race, ppl had to queue to get water. There were simply not enough water booths and the water booths were located too closely. It's so ridiculous that runners are already fatigued and sweaty and they have to queue a long queue for water! If you can't organize an event, then DON'T do it. It may be at the expense of someone's life!

Submitted by Jolene on Tuesday, June 29th, 2010.
Dear Jolene.... I think u r new runner also. I ran so many marathons before... and 90% or 100% never provide water before race. Somemore they provided water every 4km is better than nothing. You want they provide every km? You go for run or go for enjoy? Some marathon only provide one water station only. Regarding to the markers, you want them put it every km too? You must be joking... normally 5km and last 2km (for quarter marathon). We as a runner, should prepare everything before the race... Organizer gave us Runner Guide Book, you not read it? Every Runner should know their limit, and dont force yourself if you think you cant run anymore, the qualification time if kinda enough for everyone to get the medal. Im not side the Organizer, but no one is perfect rite... hope they can improve it next time.

Submitted by Zack on Tuesday, June 29th, 2010.
Studies shows, any healthy person can go into cardiac arrest given the stress and load they are facing.. No matter how fit you are, how many marathon that you have run, u are also at risk.. Take an example.. CEO of SAP India.. Have participated in numerous marathon.. He is very fi.. But he still died of cardiac arrest.. Given say that anyone, you or me is also in at risk.. Further more, like what you have said.. We should listen to our own body.. Yes no doubt.. But please remember that when we need help, there is no help in SCKLM for 10km route.. And excuse me, I have went to many running events, and most of them have water stations at the starting line..

Submitted by Toh yit ming on Wednesday, June 30th, 2010.
Zack, I believe many who read your post will hope that the next victim of any of these events would be one of your loved ones. But having said that, I guess someone as heartless as you would probably not have any loved ones; so it would have to be YOU! And for your information, the 10km and 5km runs are non-competitive ones; therefore the organizers should place more care about the runners since they are not as fit and well-prepared. I was one of them. If the organizer or people like you do not care, then why bother having these "lesser" runs?...Well, of course they do it merely to collect more money form us! Ray

Submitted by Ray on Wednesday, June 30th, 2010.
Dear Zack, Yes, I am considered a new runner as I have only ran 5 marathons before. I have admitted earlier that it was my fault for not bringing water before the run because I took for granted that there is water before the run. This is due to my previous experience in other marathons where water is provided before the run. Hence, I'm pointing out the fact that this issue can be considered for improvement for the organizers. So why are you pointing this out again? Distance markers is important to help runners gauge how many kms are left. I never said tht you need it every km but at least after the first 5 km, there should be at least one marker before the finish of the 10km. So, please stop being a joker and put words into my mouth. FYI, the runner's guide book made no mention of the distance markers or the water stations so why is this even a relevant discussion here? It is true that it is the runner's responsibility to ensure that he/she is fit and able to run before participating and be well prepared and equipped before the run. However, this doesn't absolve the organizers from ensuring that the ambulances are well equipped and there is enough medics within decent distances.

Submitted by Anonymous on Wednesday, June 30th, 2010.
Detailed investigations must be immediately carried out by main sponsor Standard Chartered, the event organiser Golazo Sdn Bhd and other joint organiser KL City Hall (Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur) as well as Kuala Lumpur Hospital to examine the sequence of tragic events affecting the young runner Lim Wei Ji, who reportedly was experiencing some serious breathing problems during the 5 km fun run. it seemed there were unexplained reasons why DBKL personnel stationed nearby did nothing to render medical aid or even help the said victim. Furthermore, perhaps Lim's life might have been saved if not for the delayed arrival of the ambulance. Equally shocking was the fact that the ambulance did not come equipped with an AED, which might have greatly helped Lim's critical condition. peresonnel strung along the race circuit should be certified and qualified to carry out CPR and othe rescue remedies, not being "decorative showcase displays in smart uniforms", merely as additional spectators in the crowd. Paramedics present on site should constantly look out for signs/symptoms exhibited by troubled runners, expriencing breathing problems, overheated, hyperventilation, etc. In future, all such relevant life saving details must be imposed on organiseers of all public races/runs before the police and other permits are issued. We can only conclude the promising future of a young man who returned from UK had unncessarily been snuffed out due to the acculated gross negligence of certain parties. We strongly believe they should be held accountable by the authorities.

Submitted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 29th, 2010.
Hard to accept Lim Wei Ji's sudden death as he could have a chance of being saved if the EMS had the right equipment. His funeral's this morning. Goodbye and RIP.

Submitted by KJA on Tuesday, June 29th, 2010.
Most of our ambulances are of dinasour ages ... Time to upgrade, not build another palace!

Submitted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 29th, 2010.
The Standard Chartered Malaysian Marathon has always been so disorganised in terms of water supply, medical aid etc. which is so shameful if you were to compare it with the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon. There were many more participants in the Singapore Marathon compared to the Malaysian Marathon.My husband ran in both races last year and this was blatantly obvious. That is why he is only taking part in the Singapore Marathon this year. The organiser should be held responsible for the death of this runner and need to improve organising this event if they were to have this every year. Take some lessons from across the Causeway.

Submitted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 29th, 2010.
It's sad to hear of this. Because of some irresponsible people, it cost a young men's life. No doubt, he deserved for at least some medical aid to fight for his life. "You can make the difference" a tagline by some advert, but how can the 3 fellow just stare at the incident. To be reacted as ordinary humanity, I don't think someone would just see instead of seek for help for those who actually have a big bike at the time of incident. Or perhaps, they are cold blooded? I don't really know how does ambulance works, but as what comes to my mind is that. They should have just anything they needed to help out in case of emergency and that is why ambulance. Imagine a firefighter truck comes with no pipe. How funny is that?

Submitted by Edison on Monday, June 28th, 2010.
Standard Chartered, please make the report by Golazo Sdn. Bhd. a public document. We want to know what are the gaps. Or at least, if Stand Chart is no longer the main sponsor in future, please share the gaps with the new sponsor and please ensure that the best controls are in place.

Submitted by Anonymous on Monday, June 28th, 2010.
I personally participated in the half-marathon and towards the end of the race I needed some analgesic balm for my leg in which I found no medical personnels throughout my last few kms providing such and when I finally saw one, I was told that they do not have it. I am well aware that these should be prepared by the runners themselves but why the inconsistencies when the medics earlier in the race have them but not towards the end when most runners will be experiencing fatigue on the legs. To be honest the whole race wasn't too well organized in case of the water supplies and medical assistance. I must admit though that it did improved compared to last year's race. We can only hope that the organizers would learn from incidents like this and prevent future accidents from repeating itself. It is tragic when a life is lost due to such incompetence in providing adequate medical assistance. Would it make any difference if he was attended by medics 15 minutes earlier? That we will never know but then the fact remains that a life was lost because the medics came only 20 minutes later and without proper medical equipments that will assist a condition that is likely in an event like this! My condolences to the family of the victim.

Submitted by Chuck on Monday, June 28th, 2010.
Gosh, please get the facts right. 1. The deceased name was Lim Wei Ji. 2. Fun Run event was only 5km.

Submitted by Anonymous on Monday, June 28th, 2010.
How can the ambulance operate as an ambulance if they dont have the basic equipment of an ambulance?

Submitted by Nick Hafidz on Monday, June 28th, 2010.
It is indeed shocking to know about this news. A young man with such a bright future and whose life was cut short. May be it is the difference in weather. It is colder where he came from and here, hydration is important especially for a such a long run. For such a young man, it is assumed that his heart was in tip top condition. And it would be equally shocking if a post mortem were to detect a unknown asymptomatic heart condition. Sad to see that Malaysians in general prefer to be the spectators when somebody fainted instead of quickly coming to his aid. Anyone can help. Even quickly moving the victim is also help. Massaging with oil, fanning, giving reassurance, quickly calling an ambulance is also help. Is it so hard and so scary to help ? With good intentions, one's help will not be questioned. Instead of standing around and as if expecting his last breath, for God's sake do something. In our everyday's lives, we have to expect the unexpected and therefore we have to lend a helping hand. If one cannot help or refuse to help, please just go away.

Submitted by Passerby on Monday, June 28th, 2010.
We have heard similar cases during King of the Road Marathon & Putrajaya Night Marathon in due to the late response and i think any marathon organizer should have a better plan to assure that this matter will not occur again and again. Two questions here...why were the City Hall Personnels done nothing to help them to get the medical assistant? (I understand that DBKL is part of the organizer) and why no AED or face mask with an air pump in the ambulance? If that case...ambulance is just a vehicle with a sirence that deliver people to the hospital, right? Someone should look into this matter as we can't tolerate with regards to the health & safety matters. My deepest condolences to the family of the demised.

Submitted by AsH on Monday, June 28th, 2010.
My heartfelt condolence to Lim's family. The Organiser should be held accountable for any death which occurred during the race. Ensure a post-mortem is carry out on the event to prevent such incidence from repeating itself in future. 
 
Very sad news indeed. Althought he race was very well organised, I run the 42k race, it doesn't surprise me when these things happen. There was no water at the start of the race, although there was during the race course. I needed water before the race to take some medication and could only find some at the committee table. One of the organisers denied me a little bit of that water because "it was for the committee". Unless we get these people to care about the runners, these tragedies will happen. Three City Hall personnel watching and doing nothing? I hope they slept well last night.

Submitted by Kiko on Monday, June 28th, 2010.
A tragic incident indeed. A life could have been saved had the necessary measures been in place... my condolences to the family...

Submitted by Izwan on Monday, June 28th, 2010.
Why am i not surprised? It happened recently in Brickfields, too. A security guard collapsed sudden;y and while we were trying to resuscitate him, we called emergency services. We told the hospital folks that he is having a cardiac arrest and still the ambulance arrived without a defibrillator. The worst feeling for us who tried to revive him is that he could have been saved. So sad for this young man's death. My deepest condolences to the Lim family.

Submitted by kate on Monday, June 28th, 2010.
If the ambulance does not come with trained emergency nurse and technician as well as real-time data and communications hook up with the hospital too, then it is just a taxi with siren and flashing lights.

Submitted by Anonymous on Monday, June 28th, 2010.
hey.. the roads was closed.. how could there be possible that we have other vehicle other than the officials??

Submitted by Yit Ming on Monday, June 28th, 2010.
the ambulance is just for show, how can this happen ?
 

STRECTCHING D LIMIT.......

 Don't limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve.

DO I HAS TO BELIEVE ALL THESE.......???

 A  respond from a commentator based on a sentiment wrote by a blogger recently.....
about "Mismanagement"
 
1) PM by appointment instead of popular vote by each and every citizen.

2) Incompetent Malay First Malaysian Second DPM cum Minister Of Education

3) 180 degrees flip-flop education system moving backward instead of forward.

4) Corruption at all levels as reported by Audit General.

5) It is reported that Malaysia has one of the highest civil servants-to-population ratio in the world by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development standards.* In 2009, Malaysia’s civil servants-to-population ratio was the highest in Asia Pacific. The ratio was 4.68 per cent, , Singapore’s 1.5 per cent, Indonesia’s 1.79 per cent, Korea’s 1.85 per cent and Thailand’s 2.06 per cent all of which have less than half our ratio.

6) Malaysia is one of the countries that has the highest vehicle-to-population ratio in the world, with 1.017 million new vehicles registered in 2009 alone. Not much effort spent on public transport like bullet train.

7) No action taken against racist statements made by Utusan, Perkasa

8) Quota system instead of meritocracy.

9) One difficult and one easy easy examination to enter into local universities i.e very difficult STPM ( national ) and easy matriculation ( internal exam ) .

10) Medium of instruction in UITM ( Mara ) is English whereas Bahasa Melayu for all other public universities.

11) Concentrate in sodomy , cow head, God/ Allah issue instead of corruption.

12) Millions of Ringgit overcharged for supplying goods to government department as reported by Audit General but no action taken.

13) Spent unnecessarily eg millions of ringgit spent in the one man for 10 days space tour etc etc etc

14) Public utilities like water, electricity, highway supposed to be the government properties now become the property of UMNO cronies.

15) Government contracts are given out to cronies on direct " negotiations " instead of public tender.

16) Most of the BN politicians especially those in the UMNO are arrogant , incompetent, " short-sighted ".

Go Cyber....

a) 44% of Internet users are in Asia and 56% the rest of the world.
b) The Internet penetration in Asia is 23.8% compared to 30.2% for the world average.
c) Malaysia ranks number 10 in Asia in terms of Internet users.
d) Malaysia’s Internet penetration is 16,902,600 or 58.8% of the population from only 3,700,000 ten years ago.