Coast Guard Saves Cardiac Arrest Patient Fallen from Leading Car... Also Saved a Life a Week Ago

Tongyeong Maritime Police Officer Banyeonhyeok
Patient Falls as Car Door Opens in Geoje, CPR Administered
Saved Life a Week Ago in Sancheong Valley

The story of a man in his 30s from the Korea Coast Guard who saved a cardiac arrest patient who fell from the car in front while driving on the road is gaining attention. This coast guard officer had also saved a life just a week ago by quickly rescuing a cardiac arrest patient he found in a valley during his vacation.

On the 2nd, Yonhap News reported, citing the Tongyeong Coast Guard Station in Gyeongnam, that Corporal Ban Yun-hyeok (33) of the Tongyeong Coast Guard in Gyeongnam saved two lives within a week.

Corporal Ban Yun-hyeok being rescued
Photo by Yonhap News

On the evening of the 31st of last month, around 8 p.m., Corporal Ban was driving near Ajoo-dong, Geoje City, when he noticed the rear door of the car ahead suddenly open and a person fall onto the road. He immediately stopped his car and ran to the scene, where he confirmed that a teenage boy, A, who had fallen from the car, was in cardiac arrest. When the panicked guardian asked for help, Ban identified himself as a coast guard rescue team member and immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

At the time, Ban was off duty and was traveling with his family and in-laws in Geoje. His spouse called 119 (emergency services) to request assistance. While continuing CPR for about five minutes while on a video call with 119, Ban helped A gradually regain breathing and consciousness. Soon after, the 119 ambulance arrived, and A was transported to the hospital, where he regained consciousness and is currently recovering.

Just a week earlier, on the 24th of last month, Ban also saved a cardiac arrest patient who collapsed while playing in the water. During his vacation with friends at a valley in Sancheong, Gyeongnam, he found a man in his 20s, B, showing signs of cardiac arrest while swimming. Sensing the danger, Ban and his friend Jin Jun-seok, a firefighter (33) who was also on vacation with him, rushed to B and performed CPR.

After about 20 minutes of emergency treatment, B fortunately regained consciousness and breathing, and was later transported to the hospital where he safely recovered. In recognition of their life-saving efforts, the Sancheong Fire Department plans to award both men the ‘Heart Saver’ certificate.

Ban said, "At first, I was surprised, but thanks to the extensive training I have received, I was able to remain calm and perform emergency measures safely." He added, "I will continue to be a coast guard officer who protects the safety of the people anytime and anywhere."