Lifeguards Save Pastor After Heart Attack In Pool: Officials

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Prince George's County lifeguards saved a Washington, D.C. preacher's life after he had a heart attack in the pool, leaders announced Wednesday. Officials identified the man as Rev. Earl D. Trent Jr., the senior pastor at Florida Avenue Baptist Church in the District of Columbia.

"It was a whole team approach in rescuing me," Trent, a Prince George's County resident, said in a press release. "Their training kicked in. It was seamless, and that’s why I’m here today."

Trent on May 12 fell unconscious during his weekly swim at the Prince George's Sports & Learning Complex, the incident report explained. The write-up mentioned that lifeguard Miguel Vargas pulled Trent from the Landover pool.

Vargas and his four teammates noticed that Trent did not initially have a pulse, the announcement noted. Officials added that the group administered CPR and used an Automated External Defibrillator to shock the pastor's heart back into rhythm. Trent started showing signs of life, leaders recalled, and medics soon completed the save.

"It is moments like this that make it very special," commented Sydnee Minor, another lifeguard involved in the rescue. "You truly are guarding lives. I helped save a life, and that’s something I’ll never forget."

Lifeguard Shortage

The capital region has a shortage of lifeguards, the Prince George's County Department of Parks and Recreation reported. The agency is currently recruiting and training lifeguards to fill the void.

"You are leaving a mark in the community," stated Lifeguard Marcus Brown, who also helped save the preacher. "It’s a great job."

Assistant Field House Manager Jonathan Cabatbat and staff member Robert White were the final teammates in the save. Cabatbat suggested that being a lifeguard "can be used on your resume for that future job in medicine."

The department offers a starting salary of at least $15 per hour, depending on experience. Interested workers can apply here.

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