Soldier Saves 40s with CPR
Nurse Rescues 60s at Department Store
"Golden Time Crucial for Cardiac Arrest Response"
As the weather suddenly turned cold, increasing the risk of myocardial infarction and other conditions, recent stories of citizen heroes who saved cardiac arrest patients by performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) have become a hot topic.
Captain Kang Taekwon of the Army 56th Division (left), a woman performing CPR on a collapsed man (right). [Source=Army 56th Division, SBS news footage]
Captain in his 30s saves a man in his 40s who collapsed in the subway with CPR
Recently, a captain in the army saved a man in his 40s who collapsed at a subway station on his way home by performing CPR.
According to Yonhap News, at around 7:59 p.m. on the 23rd, a man in his 40s, Mr. A, lost consciousness and collapsed after getting off the train with his wife, Mrs. B, inside Hapjeong Station of the Seoul subway. While Mrs. B was too shocked and unsure of what to do, Captain Kang Taekwon (34) of the 56th Army Division quickly approached and performed CPR on Mr. A.
Captain Kang immediately removed Mr. A’s outerwear and asked people nearby for help. He told Mrs. B to loosen Mr. A’s belt and asked bystanders to call 119 (emergency services). Regarding the situation, Captain Kang said, "Someone next to him suddenly fell backward with a thud, and when I saw him, he was stiff and collapsed. He was unconscious and not breathing, so I immediately started CPR."
Fortunately, after CPR, Mr. A’s pulse returned, and he was transported to Ewha Mokdong Hospital where he regained stability. It is known that he has since returned to normal life. Mrs. B expressed her gratitude to Captain Kang, saying, "Thank you so much."
Captain Kang said, "Soldiers regularly receive CPR training. After spending some time in the military, I had a lot of practice, so I was able to respond immediately. It wasn’t just me; the citizens who called 119 and helped care for the patient made it possible." He added, "I just did what a soldier should do. I am satisfied just knowing the patient is doing well."
A man in his 60s collapses in a department store... a nurse on parental leave saves him
Meanwhile, there was also a case where a man in his 60s suddenly collapsed in an elevator at a department store and was saved by a nurse who happened to be riding the elevator with him.
According to an SBS report on the 29th, on the 25th at The Hyundai in Yeouido, Seoul, a man in his 60s, Mr. Kim, suddenly lost consciousness and collapsed while riding an elevator. At that moment, a woman who was in the same elevator quickly laid Mr. Kim on the floor and without hesitation began performing CPR. After about one minute of CPR, Mr. Kim opened his eyes and sat up.
The woman then embraced Mr. Kim and his wife, showing relief. When department store staff arrived at the scene with a defibrillator, Mr. Kim had already fully regained consciousness and was able to walk out of the elevator on his own. Mr. Kim, who had angina, was transported to the hospital, received a simple examination, and was discharged.
The woman who saved Mr. Kim is Lee Wonjung, a clinical nurse specializing in cardiology at Yongin Severance Hospital, who was on parental leave after giving birth to twins last year. In an interview with the media, Lee said, "In cardiac arrest, the golden time is crucial, and I think I performed CPR very earnestly."
Beware of cold-related illnesses in winter... dress warmly when going out
Meanwhile, when the weather suddenly gets cold, the risk of cold-related illnesses such as hypothermia, frostbite, and chilblains increases, so caution is necessary. According to the medical community, when body temperature drops by 1 degree Celsius, immunity decreases by 30%, and when body temperature rises by 1 degree Celsius, immunity increases fivefold.
Also, when blood pressure rises due to temperature changes, the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, and stroke also increases. Myocardial infarction, a representative heart disease, increases by 2 percentage points for every 1-degree drop in temperature, and deaths from myocardial infarction rise by about 10% in winter.
Most myocardial infarction patients complain of severe chest pain and may suddenly faint or experience cardiac arrest. If emergency measures are not taken within 4 minutes after the heart stops due to myocardial infarction, brain damage begins, and after 10 minutes, the risk of death is high.
To prepare for cold-related illnesses, it is advisable to dress warmly, including scarves and hats, and avoid excessive exercise. Checking the perceived temperature before going out is also important. Also, since drinking alcohol can impair the ability to sense cold, it is best to avoid excessive drinking during cold waves.
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