Two Pace University students are being praised for their heroic actions after they helped save a man who had a heart attack while he was swimming at the school.

Kieran Hagan is a 21-year-old Pace University senior who works as a lifeguard at his school's pool.

He is being credited for saving the life of Bryan Zirman, a Pace alum in his 60s who suffered a heart attack while he was swimming in the university's indoor pool in March.

"I was lifeguarding, obviously, and Mr. Zirman, in the back corner of the pool, started sinking," Hagan said. "So, when I saw him kind of dip below the water level, I ran over and performed a submerged victim rescue."

Pace officials said Officials said Zirman was rescued from 8 feet down in the 13-foot deep end of the pool.

Hagan got help with the rescue from fellow Pace University student and lifeguard Angelo DeAugustino.

"By the time we pulled him out, we did a primary assessment where we check his pulse and breathing. He had no pulse and no breathing," DeAugustino said.

This status sent the duo and an aquatics director into even more of a rescue mode.

They performed CPR and used an AED while they waited for the first responders to arrive.

"I wasn't very optimistic about his condition. He was very inflamed and he was starting to lose color in his face due to the lack of oxygen," Hagan said.

Hagan said Zirman was eventually taken to the hospital by medical professionals.

However, Zirman said he doesn't really have any memory of the incident.

"I went for my swim and that's really all I remember," Zirman said.

Looking back at what happened, Zirman said he feels extremely lucky to be alive today.

"I think I've said it several times, but they're heroes," Zirman said.

University officials said they are giving proclamations to all of the heroes involved in the rescue on Friday.