A man in his 50s who collapsed from cardiac arrest during a table tennis tournament regained consciousness thanks to the swift first aid provided by citizens and firefighters at the scene.
According to the North Jeolla Provincial Fire and Disaster Headquarters on the 24th, at about 7:13 p.m. on the 22nd at Hwasan Gymnasium in Wansan District, Jeonju, a man in his 50s, identified as A, suddenly complained of chest pain and collapsed during a table tennis tournament.
Citizens nearby immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and a tournament official used the public address system to call for medical staff. Jeong Gyeong-su, a senior fire lieutenant at the Jeonju Wansan Fire Station, and a fire lieutenant named Jeong from the Wanju Fire Station, who were participating in the tournament at the time, also began first aid right away. It was an off day for the two firefighters.
The two firefighters administered an electric shock using an automated external defibrillator (AED) and continued CPR with citizens until the paramedics arrived. After a little over four minutes, A's pulse began to beat again.
Jin Hyeong-min, head of the North Jeolla Provincial Fire and Disaster Headquarters, said, "Citizens and off-duty firefighters acted quickly to provide first aid and saved a precious life," and added, "I thank the citizens who did not hesitate to act in a critical moment."