Harbor Police Honored for Saving Alpine Man

Thursday, 12 February 2009
Contact: Dale Frost (619) 686-6222

Harbor Police Corporals Frank and Laura Tosatto headed over to Mission Bay to work out on their day off on December 27, 2008. Within hours they had saved the life of sixty two year-old Paul Barry of Alpine.

Barry collapsed near the Fiesta Island entrance to Mission Bay as he began an 11-mile exercise walk. Other walkers yelled for help, and the Corporals responded.

Since he was unconscious, the Corporals began Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Corporal Frank Tosatto administered chest compressions while Corporal Laura Tosatto maintained an open airway and administered rescue breaths.

Paramedics arrived and assumed care for the patient, who had suffered cardiac arrest. Barry called the Tosatto's to thank them shortly after he was released from the hospital and the three met at the Carlsbad marathon on January 25. Barry plans to walk the Carlsbad half marathon next year.

"Corporals Frank and Laura Tosatto's performance was immediate, calm, proficient and resulted in saving the life of a citizen," said Harbor Police Chief Kirk Sanfilippo.

Dr. Michael Michalski, a cardiologist, said people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests have a 3 percent chance of survival. "A major advantage to Mr. Barry was immediate bystander CPR."

The Corporals received life saving commendation certificates and life saving "shirt bars" to wear on their Harbor Police uniforms.

The San Diego Harbor Police is the law enforcement arm of the Port of San Diego. The department provides law enforcement, marine fire-fighting services, airport services, public safety and Homeland Security throughout the tidelands and San Diego Bay. Harbor Police Officers patrol San Diego International Airport under contract with the San Diego county Regional Airport Authority.

---