"My Body Moved First"...Paramedic Saves Passenger Who Lost Consciousness on Plane

Passenger Loses Consciousness on Flight to Vietnam
"Looking for Medical Staff" Announcement Draws Firefighter
"Just Doing What I Should" Shows Humble Attitude

A paramedic who boarded a plane for an overseas trip was revealed to have saved a passenger who lost consciousness and collapsed inside the aircraft. The paramedic humbly stated, "I instinctively rushed to provide emergency treatment, and I am truly relieved that it was helpful."

Firefighter Kim Jushin administering first aid to a patient who lost consciousness and collapsed.
[Photo by Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters]

On the 22nd, the Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters announced that on the 9th at around 11 a.m., a passenger, Ms. A (60, female), lost consciousness and collapsed one hour after departure on a Vietnam Airlines flight from Gimhae Airport to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

At that time, Vietnam Airlines urgently requested medical personnel over the in-flight announcement. Kim Ju-shin, a firefighter from the Gangseo Fire Station Signal 119 Safety Center in Busan, who was on his day off and traveling abroad, identified himself as a paramedic to the flight attendants and administered emergency treatment. The collapsed woman was unconscious but had a faint pulse.

Firefighter Kim measured the patient's blood pressure and other vital signs using the emergency treatment kit provided by the airline. After confirming that the patient's blood pressure was very low, he performed the emergency procedure called 'leg elevation,' which involves raising the legs above the heart level. After Kim's emergency treatment, Ms. A regained consciousness, and her blood pressure and pulse returned to normal. She later recovered enough to walk off the plane on her own.

A handwritten letter from Vietnam Airlines to Firefighter Kim Ju-shin, who saved an emergency patient on board.
[Photo by Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters]

After completing her trip, Ms. A personally visited Firefighter Kim's workplace on the 20th to express her gratitude, saying, "If it weren't for your help, it would have been a serious situation." The Vietnam Airlines captain and flight attendants also wrote letters to Kim to show their appreciation.

Firefighter Kim recalled the urgent situation, saying, "When the announcement was made to find medical personnel on board, I instinctively rushed to provide emergency treatment. I am truly relieved that I could help. My hands were shaking after the treatment, but I felt a great sense of fulfillment when Ms. A visited the safety center where I work in good health to thank me." He added, "Although it may seem like an unusual case, many paramedics perform such tasks several times a day on the field. I was simply doing what was expected of me."