Subway Line 3 Yangjae Station Staff Become 'Heart Savers' by Rescuing Passenger with CPR

Performed CPR on a man in his 60s who collapsed from cardiac arrest on the platform, secured the 'golden time' to save his life... Received the Seoul Mayor's certified 'Citizen Heart Saver Certificate'... "Proud of the staff for their prompt action"

Heart Saver Certificates and Employees Who Received Them

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Employees at Yangjae Station on Seoul Subway Line 3, who saved the life of a male passenger in his 60s who collapsed due to cardiac arrest through prompt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), received the Seoul City ‘Citizen Heart Saver’ certification.

The ‘Citizen Heart Saver’ is a system that awards certificates and badges as a token of gratitude to citizens who save the lives of cardiac arrest patients through emergency measures such as CPR and automated external defibrillators (AEDs).

According to Seoul Metro (President Kim Sang-beom), employees working at Yangjae Station on Line 3 received a report on the evening of February 5th about a passenger who had collapsed on the platform and immediately performed CPR using an automated external defibrillator.

At around 7:45 p.m., three station employees (Assistant Manager Jeon Min-ho, Senior Staff Yoo Sang-min, and Senior Staff Yoon Seok-min) received a citizen report that a man in his 60s had suddenly collapsed on the downbound platform at Yangjae Station and promptly rushed to the scene.

Arriving at the scene within one minute, Assistant Manager Jeon confirmed that the man was unconscious and not breathing, then instructed the two senior staff members to bring the automated external defibrillator and immediately began primary CPR measures including chest compressions without delay.

Within two minutes, the two senior staff members brought the automated external defibrillator, and following the device’s alarm and video call guidance from the 119 emergency medical team, they continued delivering electric shocks.

At around 7:53 p.m., paramedics from the Seocho 119 Safety Center arrived at the scene. Thanks to the CPR, the passenger regained breathing and consciousness and was promptly transported to Gangnam Severance Hospital.

Fortunately, at around 9:53 p.m., the station received the joyful news that the patient had regained consciousness. Without the swift action, this could have been a critical moment where a precious life might not have been saved.

The employees’ efforts to restart the stopped heart were reported to Seoul City through the fire station. On the 24th of this month, Seoul City awarded the ‘Citizen Heart Saver Certificate’ to the Yangjae Station employees through the Seocho Fire Station.

Kim Kwang-bae, Station Manager of Yangjae Station, said, “Because the employees have diligently received regular training on how to use the equipment at the company, they were able to accurately perform emergency treatment using the automated external defibrillator,” adding, “I am proud of the employees who saved the passenger through quick action and grateful to the citizens who helped and the 119 paramedics.”

The corporation invites professional instructors every two years to conduct legally mandated training combining theory and practice so that employees can learn CPR and how to use automated external defibrillators.

From January to May of this year (2021), a total of 12 passengers who collapsed due to cardiac arrest were rescued by the corporation’s employees.