Without a quick response from Loyalsock Township School District employees, a man might not have survived an incident in the district's middle school gymnasium this past summer.
Brian Bubb, building and grounds supervisor, and Brian Lowmiller, custodian, took to action as the individual had chest pains and fell to the floor.
"They were working in the gym and the individual got off the machine and walked a couple of steps and dropped," Bubb said.
The individual soon became unresponsive. Lowmiller was in the hallway outside of the gym when the individual's partner rushed out seeking help.
"He said, 'My buddy is on the floor and I can't get him up,' " Lowmiller recalled from the incident.
Lowmiller, who previously was a police officer in Muncy and Montgomery, said his reaction was "automatic" as he checked the individual's pulse and vital signs and called 9-1-1.
"It was automatic. I checked on him, he had no pulse," Lowmiller said.
As Lowmiller was performing CPR, Bubb, who is a member of the Loyalsock Volunteer Fire Co., came to the scene.
When Bubb found out the situation he said it was difficult as he had just seen the individual a few minutes before. But Bubb went right to Lowmiller's side to assist him.
"It was kind of hard because I had just talked to him two minutes ago," Bubb said.
The two men stayed with the individual until Loyalsock paramedics arrived.
Bubb said it was crucial that Lowmiller acted as quickly as he did. After about three minutes, brain damage begins to set in, Bubb said.
After reviewing the tape from the security camera, Bubb said Lowmiller started tending to the individual at 2 minutes 20 seconds.
"The quick response is pretty much what saved his life," he said. The individual is receiving rehabilitation and Lowmiller said that's what makes it all worth it. "I'm very happy that I was able to be there to save this gentleman," he said.
"Personally that's why I have all of my employees certified in CPR," Bubb said.
The two were recognized at a recent Loyalsock Township School Board meeting, where Robert Grantier, superintendent, spoke about the incident. He added that if it were not for Bubb and Lowmiller, the individual would not have made it.
"The board of education of the Loyalsock Township School District and Miller Flooring Co. wish to recognize and thank Mr. Lowmiller and Mr. Bubb for their timely response and life-saving skill that resulted in saving a human life," Grantier said.
