Longtime golf partners Ray Gee and Bill Gorman have never known their leisurely Friday night golf league to hold quite so much drama. But, on August 13th, the 8th hole of Conklin Players Club in Conklin, NY, became the scene of a lifesaving rescue when Gee collapsed from sudden cardiac arrest.
View World Map on AED Locations in a larger map
According to Conklin Players Club Owner Theresa Rickard, when Gee collapsed, Gorman immediately started administering CPR, while another golfer, Matt Smith, ran to the clubhouse to retrieve the automated external defibrillator (AED) at the clubhouse.
Gorman, a 29-year volunteer fireman for the Conklin Fire Department, then defibrillated Gee, while Brian Bailey, another member of their foursome, administered chest compressions.
Rickard said, “We’ve had the AED for a couple of years, but have never had to use it. We had it in the lobby – just in case – and I’m so thankful that we did.”
Gee, a structural steel draftsman who resides in Binghamton, NY, and Gorman, an electrician who lives in Conklin, have been friends for 30 years. Gee said, “I’m very lucky that Bill was my partner. Not only is he a great golf partner, but he’s a great human being. He just took complete control of everything.”
Gorman said, “I was a First Responder years ago, and I did have CPR and defibrillator training. But that AED was so easy to use, it didn’t matter. Between the CPR, the defibrillator and the quick response of the ambulance, it was the perfect storm – in a good way.”
