AED saves hockey player's life

MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD) - Randy Poel was in the middle of a hockey game at Lakeshore Ice Arena earlier this month when his heart stopped.

The sergeant with Grand Haven Public Safety had a heart attack and collapsed in the rink.

His friend, Nate Morgan, who played in the game before him, was watching in horror.

"Normally someone calls 911 and it takes 30 seconds at dispatch, takes me three or four minutes to get there and I got time to think about what I'm going to do," Morgan said. "It's a lot different scenario when you see the person down."

The arena had an AED, or defibrillator. It's what kept Poel alive. Morgan knew where it was in the office and how to use it.

The first jolt didn't work. "About three and a half minutes into the ordeal, the machine shocked me a second time and then my heart went into a life sustaining rythym." Poel said.

"It was horrible. Horrible working on a friend." Morgan said.

Poel regained conciousness on the way to Spectrum Hospital in Grand Rapids where he stayed for 12 days and underwent open heart surgery.

The Red Cross told 24 Hour News 8 it is a state law every physical fitness facility must have at least one AED on the premises.

But not all hockey rinks have them.

That's why Poel is on a mission to provide more life saving devices at ice rinks across West Michigan.

"To date we've already raised $3,700 and an AEDcosts anywhere from about $1,250 to $1,275."

Poel never thought the friends he hit the ice, with the help of an AED, would morph from team-mates to lifesavers. But he said he's glad they did.

"If it weren't for Nate, I wouldn't be here." Poel said.

If you'd like to make a donation for this cause to purchase AED's at hockey rinks across west michigan, you can mail a dontaion to Grand Haven Public Safety, and make the check out out to "Grand Haven Public Safety- AED fundraiser".