After Removing Dentures, Performed Heimlich Maneuver... Restaurant Owner Who Saved Elderly Turns Out to Be a Volunteer Patrol Member

Sudden Breathing Difficulty During Meal at Restaurant
Emergency Aid Using 'Heimlich Maneuver' Learned at Police Station

An elderly man who lost consciousness after choking on food during a meal was saved by the quick response of a restaurant owner. On the 6th, a video titled ‘Did the restaurant owner remove the customer’s dentures?’ was uploaded to the National Police Agency’s YouTube channel. In the video, an elderly man dining with companions at a restaurant in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province suddenly experienced difficulty breathing. Although his companions tried to pat his back, the man soon lost consciousness.

An elderly man dining with companions at a restaurant in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do suddenly experienced difficulty breathing. Although his companions tried to pat his back, the man soon lost consciousness. Seeing this, the restaurant owner rushed out and performed the Heimlich maneuver, helping the man regain consciousness.
[Photo by YouTube channel 'Korean National Police Agency']

Seeing this, the restaurant owner rushed out and performed the Heimlich maneuver, allowing the elderly man to regain consciousness. The Heimlich maneuver is an emergency procedure used when someone loses consciousness due to choking on food; it involves shaking the chest up and down with both hands to expel the food blocking the airway.

The owner was Park Kyung-min, who also serves as a member of the volunteer crime prevention unit. It is known that he had learned CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and the Heimlich maneuver during job training two months prior to the incident. Park said, "I noticed out of the corner of my eye that the grandmother’s hand dropped suddenly and thought something was wrong, so I ran over and performed emergency measures. When I checked the elderly person’s condition, the airway was blocked, and there was no breathing or breath."

On the 6th, a video titled "Did the restaurant owner take the customer's dentures?" was uploaded to the National Police Agency's YouTube channel.
[Photo by YouTube channel 'National Police Agency']

He continued, "A small piece of meat came out first, which was a relief, but the breathing was still labored. Upon checking, the dentures were stuck inside the mouth, blocking the vomit from coming out." He added, "After removing the dentures and performing the Heimlich maneuver again to expel the food, the breathing cleared up." The elderly man later regained normal breathing and recovered his health.

After the story became known, the Gapyeong Police Station presented Park with a letter of appreciation. A police official said, "We thank volunteer member Park Kyung-min for receiving training and using it to save a precious civilian life." Netizens also responded with comments such as "If it weren’t for the real owner, it could have been a disaster," "The quick emergency response saved a precious life. What a relief," and "The ability to judge and respond in the moment was truly amazing."