Disaster Safety Education Floods After 'Itaewon Tragedy'... Citizens' Interest Grows

'CPR Experience'... Preparing for Disaster Situations Independently
Increased Education Centered on Basic Local Governments and Schools

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] Interest in disaster safety education, where people can directly experience and learn emergency treatments such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), has been increasing since the Itaewon crowd crush tragedy.

According to a comprehensive report by Asia Economy on the 9th, safety experience education is actively being conducted mainly by basic local governments such as Mapo-gu and Seongdong-gu, as well as elementary, middle, and high schools. The programs include disaster safety, daily safety, emergency treatment education, and traffic safety education.

An official from a public health center in Seoul stated, "Inquiries about CPR education are surging," and added, "It seems that public institutions, including schools, are actively responding to safety education."

Many citizens have also become more eager to prevent sudden safety accidents and develop the ability to respond independently in crisis situations.

Kim Sumin (33), who lives in Sinwon-dong, Deogyang-gu, Goyang City, said, "At the apartment Anabada event on the 5th, there was a space where firefighters came directly to the site to teach CPR." She added, "After the Itaewon crowd crush tragedy, I participated in the actual experience with the thought that I should prepare myself." She continued, "I learned it just in case, and I felt a bit of relief thinking that I probably wouldn’t panic if I faced difficulties later."

Choi Minhee (37), who lives in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, said, "After the recent Mugunghwa-ho derailment, the subway was so crowded on my way to work that I felt fear," and added, "I looked up how to use the emergency door valve located under the seat near the subway doors." She explained, "I kept rehearsing the explanation that when the screen door does not open, you have to push the handle with both hands and then push it left and right."

During the Itaewon crowd crush tragedy, some citizens were also seen performing CPR themselves to rescue victims. Furthermore, with the recent Mugunghwa-ho train derailment, opinions are increasing that people should receive prior education for emergency situations.

Some voices call for strengthening professionalism and revising safety education content. Even looking at the 'Foreign Safety Education Cases' published by the National Assembly Legislative Research Office, the latest content is being reflected.

In Fairfax County, Virginia, USA, the safety education curriculum is frequently revised. Additionally, to obtain and renew teaching certificates, teachers are required to submit certificates proving they have received training in emergency treatment, CPR, and the use of automated external defibrillators.