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                                                                    Exhibit 10.9
Employment Agreement Between the Company and Rolf S. Stutz

                            ZOLL MEDICAL CORPORATION
                                32 Second Avenue
                              Burlington, MA 01803

                                  July 19, 1996

Rolf S. Stutz
15 Ash Street
Cambridge, MA 02138


Dear Rolf:

     This Employment Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into by and between
you, Rolf Stutz, and Zoll Medical Corporation, a Massachusetts company (the
"Company") with its principal place of business at 32 Second Avenue, Burlington,
Massachusetts. In consideration of the mutual promises set forth in this
Agreement, the parties agree:

     1.  You shall be employed by the Company as its Chairman of the Board of
         Directors and Chief Executive Officer, effective June 4, 1996, and
         shall have all powers and duties consistent with those positions,
         subject to the direction of the Company's Board of Directors.

     2.  You will devote your best efforts, business judgment, skill and
         knowledge to the advancement of the business and interests of the
         Company and its affiliates, and to the discharge of your duties and
         responsibilities hereunder.

     3.  Your salary shall initially be $250,000 per year, subject to increase
         from time to time as determined by the Board of Directors. In addition,
         you shall be entitled to receive stock options which may be awarded
         from time to time. All options (the "Options") to purchase common stock
         of the Company which you may be awarded under the Company's stock
         option plans shall vest fully upon the occurrence of a "Change of
         Control" (as such term is defined in the 1992 Stock Incentive Plan).

     4.  You shall be entitled to the number of paid vacation days specified by
         the Company's normal vacation policy, to be taken at such times and
         intervals as shall be determined by you, subject to the reasonable
         business needs of the Company. You shall be entitled to participate in
         and enjoy the benefit of the Company's employee benefit plans generally
         available to the Company's management from time to time. Participation
         shall be subject to the terms of the applicable plan documents and the
         discretion of the Board of Directors or any administrative or other
         committee provided for in or contemplated by such plan. The Company may
         alter, modify, add to or delete its employee benefit plans as they
         apply to the Company's management at such times and in such manner as
         the Company determines to be appropriate, without recourse by you.

     5.  Your employment shall automatically terminate upon your death or may be
         terminated by the Company on account of your total disability from
         performing your duties for the Company for a period of thirteen
         consecutive weeks. Either you or the Company may

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         terminate your employment upon 30 days notice. If the Company
         terminates your employment without "Cause" (as hereafter defined), it
         shall continue to pay the salary in effect at the time of your
         termination for a period of twelve months following such 30 day notice
         period and shall provide you with reasonable and customary outplacement
         services for one year or, if shorter, until a new position is accepted
         by you. Any Options which may be outstanding shall continue to vest
         during such twelve-month period as if you were employed for such
         period. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean: (1)
         material breach of this Agreement, (2) conviction of a crime involving
         moral turpitude or dishonesty, or (3) conduct on your part which is
         reasonably determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the
         Company other than you to demonstrate gross unfitness to serve.

     6.  In the event that your employment is terminated for any reason, you
         agree that for a period of three years after termination you will not
         (i) directly or indirectly, be employed by, affiliated with, direct the
         business of or act on behalf of a business that competes with the
         Company or its affiliates; (ii) solicit, induce, or attempt to solicit
         or induce any person employed by the Company; or (iii) accept
         employment with a competing business.

     7.  This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of
         Massachusetts.

                                             Very truly yours,

                                             ZOLL MEDICAL CORPORATION


                                             By: /s/ Thomas M. Claflin
                                                ----------------------

The foregoing is accepted:

/s/ Rolf S. Stutz
-----------------
Rolf S. Stutz


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