Last Year’s Bystander CPR Rate 28.8%... This Year’s Training Reinforced

Fire Agency Announces Plan to Strengthen Training Programs

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The National Fire Agency announced on the 10th that it has established the "2023 CPR Education Enhancement Promotion Plan," which focuses on strengthening education for the general public so that anyone can effectively respond when encountering a patient in a life-threatening condition.

This plan is a follow-up measure in response to the increased public interest in CPR following the Itaewon tragedy, aiming to improve understanding and participation in CPR among the entire population.

As of 2021, the number of 119 emergency transports for four major critical patients?cardiac arrest, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and severe trauma?reached 120,641 cases, among which 33,247 patients required CPR due to cardiac arrest.

CPR, known as the "4-minute miracle," is a crucial emergency procedure that determines the survival of cardiac arrest patients. It must be performed at a depth of 5?6 cm and a rate of 100?120 compressions per minute. If chest compressions are not applied at the correct location, there is a risk of organ damage, making repetitive training and education essential.

The "2023 CPR Education Enhancement" includes four strategies and eleven tasks: ▲improving education methods tailored to different age groups ▲expanding the training of CPR instructors ▲expanding educational facilities such as experience centers ▲hosting a nationwide CPR competition for the general public.

Considering the level and understanding by age, infants, children, and the elderly will be taught situation awareness and how to request help, while adolescents and adults will receive practice-oriented CPR education.

Additionally, the education method will be improved and systematized through a task force to expand CPR education time within the mandatory school safety education hours. Furthermore, the training of professional CPR instructors for the public will be enhanced, and experience centers and classrooms at fire stations will be expanded. Continuous CPR education in virtual spaces using the metaverse will also be promoted. In June, the "12th General Public CPR Competition" will be held, and during this period, experience centers will operate alongside various promotional activities.

Those wishing to receive CPR education can make reservations by phone or online at the nearest fire station or fire safety experience center for practical training. Starting in March, virtual space education will also be available through a metaverse platform.

Hwang Gi-seok, Director of the Fire Prevention Bureau at the National Fire Agency, stated, “It is important to perform CPR within the golden time of 4 minutes,” adding, “We will further solidify CPR education so that anyone witnessing a cardiac arrest patient can properly perform CPR and protect their family and the public.”