SAVING PACE RESCUERS' SWIFT RESPONSE SPARES GIRL ICY DEATH.

Byline: Sonia Giordani Staff Writer

NORTHRIDGE - With rosy cheeks and a shy smile, 18-month-old Tiffany Sabbagh looked much different Friday than she did two weeks earlier, when she was pulled from the bottom of her family's backyard spa - her body cold, her heart still.

But thanks to the efforts of city firefighters and a pediatric team at Northridge Hospital Medical Center, the toddler recovered from her ordeal. Accompanied by her jubilant parents and her hero firefighters, Tiffany got a ride home from the hospital Friday atop Fire Engine 73.

``Today is the happiest day in my life,'' Sam Sabbagh said as he held his daughter, her brown hair caught up in pigtails and a Winnie-the-Pooh pacifier tucked into her mouth.

``I believe in miracles. I believe in prayer,'' said Sabbagh, who thanked the firefighters, nurses and doctors who had a hand in helping his daughter.

``To all the people who have a pool, please have a fence. Don't worry about how much it's going to cost,'' he said during a news conference outside the hospital. ``My baby has been through so much.''

Sabbagh and his wife were preparing for work the morning of Dec. 15 when Tiffany found her way into the back yard, where she slipped unnoticed into the unheated, uncovered spa. By the time her parents found her and called 911, Tiffany's body was ice cold and her heart had stopped.

Los Angeles firefighter Darin Hebert and Battalion Chief Gregory West, both based in Canoga Park, were on their way to a toy drive at Westfield Shoppingtown Topanga when they heard the call over the radio. Just a half-mile from the Sabbaghs' Tarzana home, they arrived within two minutes.

``The mother handed me the child,'' Hebert said. ``She was pulseless and nonbreathing. I started CPR and mouth-to-mouth right away.''

By the time Tiffany was turned over to the care of Northridge Hospital emergency room nurses Kristin Worden and Charmine Navarro, she was crying weakly, moving her arms and legs and had a steady pulse.

``She was cold, cold - cold as ice,'' said Worden, noting that Tiffany's body temperature had dropped from the average of 98 degrees to 82 degrees. ``I almost didn't believe it, she was so cold.''

The nurses noted that the chances for survival would have been worse had the girl fallen into warmer water. Cooler temperatures slow down the body's metabolism, requiring less oxygen to survive. Still, the body requires oxygen to be restored within four to six minutes or irreversible brain damage can occur.

``She's very healthy, thank God,'' said Benito Giacalone, Tiffany's older brother who had left for work shortly before the incident. ``She has a good heart and good lungs and her brain is good.''

According to fire Capt. Stephen Ruda, drowning is the third leading cause of death among children in Los Angeles County, after car accidents and falls.

``Our plea to parents is to watch your children at all times,'' he said.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Tiffany Sabbagh, revived after nearly drowning, is hugged by father Sam, mother Nury, and cousin Sam Samaha.

(2) Tiffany Sabbagh gets a ride home in a city firetruck Friday on the lap of her mother, Nury.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer