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Defibrillator at public pool pays off

By JON WILSON
Published April 16, 2006

A doctor, a registered nurse and lifeguards, using an automated external defibrillator, revived a 71-year-old man who had gone into cardiac arrest after finishing the 200-yard backstroke, said Dr. Bruce Day.

"It was really a wonderful thing. It was a team effort, and the team worked wonderfully,'' said Day, a masters swimmer from St. Petersburg who was at the meet.

The defibrillator used is one of many that individuals and organizations donated for use in the city's public venues.

For example, a father-son team is providing the defibrillators to virtually every St. Petersburg police vehicle, according to police and fire department officials.

Greg Loebel and his father, Terry Loebel, most recently donated money to buy 71 of the devices for police special-purpose vehicles like carts and boats.

The Loebels began their project last year, initially providing money for 37 defibrillators. The final step takes place this year or early next, when the Loebels plan to give money to put the lifesavers in about 200 cruisers.

Greg Loebel, a businessman who lives in Largo, said he and his father, who is a retired businessman in St. Petersburg, wanted to do something for the community.

"One of the things we thought might benefit a lot of people would be these AEDs,'' said Greg Loebel, who is familiar to area auto racing fans as a competitive driver.

The devices cost about $1,200 each, police said.

The Loebels are scheduled to be honored at Thursday's City Council meeting.

The need for defibrillators gained attention after two sudden deaths here a few years ago.

Matt Bostic died two years ago at age 21 after running an impromptu race in his company's parking lot after work. The company, Global Access Unlimited, raised money to place the machines in schools.

After triathlete Robert Ray died at 54 during a swimming session at North Shore, his Mad Dogs triathlon club, the St. Pete Masters swim club and other recreational sports groups like the Half-Century Softball Club pitched in to buy a defibrillator for the pool. It was donated in Ray's name.

[Last modified April 16, 2006, 08:34:34]