A 6-year-old boy was on the road to recovery Friday, the day after he collapsed when his heart stopped on a Spanish Fork elementary school playground.

By Friday night, Logan Powell was breathing on his own, his mother Laura Powell reported. "He is responsive, talking but not completely alert."

The Powells, along with Nebo School District spokeswoman Lana Hiskey, credit quick response by a playground supervisor and other school staffers who rushed to the aid of the seemingly lifeless child. They administered CPR and called 911.

Within two minutes, Hiskey said, police and paramedics had arrived. One of the officers brought an Automated External Defibrillator device, which was used to restore Logan's heartbeat.

"The boy just collapsed during a gym class and the adult supervisor was right there. She was able to start CPR right away, and then the school secretary came out and traded off with her to get him breathing," Hiskey said.

Logan was rushed to the Payson Hospital and later flown to Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake City. He has not suffered any more heartbeat interruptions and is under close monitoring.

Hiskey said the incident underscores the wisdom of the Nebo School Board's recent decision to supply its schools with defibrillator devices similar to the one used by paramedics to save the boy.

"It is because of the defibrillator that he is alive," Powell said. "It was what brought him back."

The family, which is uninsured, is thinking of opening an account for people wanting to help cover Logan's medical costs. Powell said she was told the district will make sure defibrillators are distributed as fast as possible to all schools.

remims@sltrib.com