Gyms In New York State Are Now Required To Have One Of These Onsite

Certain gyms in New York State are now required to have this life-saving device onsite. New York Governor, Kathy Hochul, signed Assembly Bill A744 / Senate Bill S5262 into law. The new law will ensure that employees and members of popular health clubs have access to a device that could potentially save lives.

The new law requires health clubs with memberships of 50 or more have a defibrillator on site,

Requires certain health clubs to have at least one automated external defibrillator on the premises which is accessible to the staff, members and guests.

 

What Is An Automated External Defibrillator?

An automated external defibrillator is a portable device that delivers a jolt of electricity to a person's heart to jumpstart it. The device is used to revive someone whose heart has stopped due to sudden cardiac arrest.

If an AED is near someone having ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia, a bystander in a public place or a family member can use it to jolt the heart back to a regular rhythm. Using the AED could possibly save a life.

Strenuous activity, like some exercises, can put certain people at risk of cardiac arrest, so it makes perfect sense to require gyms to have an automated external defibrillator onsite. It's commendable that people who might have heart issues are trying to get healthy by working out, but they could be at risk if they are pushing their bodies too hard.

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According to the Mayo Clinic,

Research found evidence that high intensity exercise can acutely increase the risk for sudden cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death in individuals with underlying cardiac disease. This can also increase the risk of heart rhythm disorders, especially for the minority who have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or coronary heart disease.

The devices cost around $1,500 to $2,000.

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