ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Channel 9 learned classmates had a hard time locating an automated external defibrillator after a young University of Central Florida student died during class Monday.
Michael Namey's classmates rushed to his aide, including an EMT who started CPR, but they had to search another floor of the building to locate a defibrillator.
News of the 18-year-old's death continues to circulate across campus, and some have started a petition calling on UCF officials to add more lifesaving devices to campus.
Raw: UCF student talks to WFTV about trying to save man's life
Manny Orozco didn't know Namey before he tried to save his life. Namey was in precalculus class when he started having a seizure and collapsed. Orozco, who is a trained EMT, ran into the class and, with the help of another student, tried to keep Namey alive.
"Michael will stay with me for the rest of my life," said Orozco. "We tried everything we could but it did take a while before that AED machine was brought to us."
Orozco said students ran out of the first-floor classroom looking for an AED but weren't sure where to find one. The closest device was on the second floor by the elevator.
Orozco, however, said he's not sure whether it would have made a difference had it been brought in sooner.
UCF officials said police got on the scene with an AED within 2 1/2 minutes. Namey was alive when he made it to the hospital but died Tuesday.
Another student started a Change.org petition asking UCF officials to put an AED on every floor of every building.
"Every second counts," Orozco said.
UCF officials said they are examining how available the devices are and if they need to change any policies.
In the meantime, Orozco said he plans to raise awareness about CPR and AED training.
"This is Michael's story," he said. "I will do whatever it takes; somehow, some way, I will make Michael's death meaningful."
UCF officials said their response time with the defibrillator was within the American Heart Association guidelines, even though they are looking at possible changes.
WFTV
